UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K/A

(Mark One)
xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                          For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
or
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. 1)

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

Or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to

                          For the transition period from _____________  to _____________

Commission File Number 000-54010001-37503

 


B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware27-0223495

(State or Other Jurisdiction of


Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

21860 Burbank Boulevard,11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300 South

Woodland Hills,800
Los Angeles,
CA

91367

90025
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(818) 884-3737(310) 966-1444

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per shareRILYNasdaq Global Market
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th fractional interest in a 6.875% share of Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred StockRILYPNasdaq Global Market
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th fractional interest in a 7.375% share of Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred StockRILYLNasdaq Global Market
6.75% Senior Notes due 2024RILYONasdaq Global Market
6.375% Senior Notes due 2025RILYMNasdaq Global Market
5.00% Senior Notes due 2026RILYGNasdaq Global Market
5.50% Senior Notes due 2026RILYKNasdaq Global Market
6.50% Senior Notes due 2026RILYNNasdaq Global Market
5.25% Senior Notes due 2028RILYZNasdaq Global Market
6.00% Senior Notes due 2028RILYTNasdaq Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

(Title of Class)

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes: ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨Yes: ☐ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrantregistrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes:  xYes ☐ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes:  xYes ☐ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”“smaller reporting company” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filer¨
Non-accelerated filer¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting companyx
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes:  ¨Yes ☐ No x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates, based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin BoardNasdaq Global Market on June 30, 2014,2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $44.9$831.2 million. For purposes of this calculation, it has been assumed that all shares of the registrant’s common stock held by directors, executive officers and shareholdersstockholders beneficially owning fiveten percent or more of the registrant’s common stock are held by affiliates. The treatment of these persons as affiliates for purposes of this calculation is not conclusive as to whether such persons are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.

The numberAs of April 16, 2024, there were 30,142,863 shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of April 25, 2015 was 16,301,940.

common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.

 

Auditor NameAuditor LocationAuditor Firm ID
Marcum LLPMelville, NY688

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The undersigned registrant herebyThis Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (this “Amendment No. 1”) amends in its entirety Part III of itsthe Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Original Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142023 of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), as set forthoriginally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 24, 2024 (the “Original Filing Date”). We are filing this Amendment No. 1 to (i) include the information required by Part III of Form 10-K that was previously omitted from the Original Form 10-K in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K and (ii) amend Item 15 of Part IV of the Original Form 10-K to update the exhibit list.

This Amendment No. 1 does not amend, modify, or otherwise update any other information in the pages attached hereto. ThisOriginal Form 10-K/A10-K. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 1 should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and with our filings with the SEC subsequent to the filing of the Original Form 10-K. In addition, this Amendment No. 1 does not reflect events occurring afterthat may have occurred subsequent to the filing of the original Annual Report on Form 10-KOriginal Filing Date and other than the amendment described above, does notno attempt has been made in this Amendment to modify or update theother disclosures as presented in the original Annual Report onOriginal Form 10-K10-K.

In accordance with Rules 12b-15 and 13a-14 under the Exchange Act, we have amended Part IV, Item 15 to include currently dated certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Because no financial statements are included in this Amendment No. 1 and this Amendment No. 1 does not contain or amend any way.disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 of the certifications have been omitted. We are not including the certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as no financial statements are being filed with this Amendment No. 1.

Except as otherwise required by the context, references in this Amendment No. 1 to “the Company,” “B. Riley,” “B. Riley Financial,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the combined business of B. Riley Financial, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

 

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.

We previously had a classifiedOur board of directors (the “Board”) whereby the directors wereare elected annually to serve for three-year terms that were staggered into three classes. At our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendmenta one year term to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter Amendment”), which phases out such three-year, staggered terms and instead provides for the annual election of directors. The Charter Amendment became effective upon its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 7, 2014. Andrew Gumaer and Matthew J. Hart will serve as directors until our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2015, Bryant R. Riley will serve as a director until our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2016, and Hugh G. Hilton and Richard L. Todaro will serve as directors until the next annual meetingsmeeting of stockholders, to be held in 2017, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.qualified or their earlier death, resignation, or removal. There are no familial relationships between any of our directors and any other director or any of our executive officers. No arrangement or understanding exists between any of our directors and any other person or persons pursuant to which any director was or is to be selected as our director. The following table provides the name, age, and position(s) of each of our directors as of April 30, 2015:March 31, 2024:

NameAgeCommittees
Bryant R. Riley4857NoneNone.
Andrew GumaerThomas J. Kelleher5456NoneNone.
Matthew J. HartRobert L. Antin6374Audit Committee*, Compensation Committee, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee*Committee
Hugh G. HiltonTammy Brandt6449None.
Robert D’Agostino57Audit Committee, Compensation Committee*,
Renée E. LaBran64Audit Committee, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee
Richard L. TodaroRandall E. Paulson4362Audit Committee*
Michael J. SheldonAudit64Compensation Committee
Mimi K. Walters61Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee*

*Chairman of the respective committee.

Bryant R. Rileyhas served as our ChiefChairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since the initial closing of the acquisition of B. Riley & Co., LLC and certain related entities in June 2014 (the “BRC Acquisition)and July 2018 respectively, and as a director since August 2009. He also previously served as our Chief Executive Officer from June 2014 to July 2018. In addition, Mr. Riley also servesserved as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC, and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.  Mr. Riley has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC since founding the stock brokerage firm in 1997.  He has served1997 until its combination with FBR Capital Markets & Co., LLC in 2017 and as Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Capital Management,& Co., LLC sincefrom 1997 to 2006. He also served as Chairman of B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. from April 2015.2019 to February 2020, at which time it completed its business combination with Alta Equipment Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALTG); as Chairman of B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II from May 2020 to November 2020 at which time it had completed it business combination with Eos Energy Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq: EOSE); and as Chairman of B. Riley Principa1 150 Merger Corp. from June 2020 to July 2022, at which time it completed its business combination with FaZe Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FAZE). He served as Chairman of B. Riley Principal 250 Merger Corp. from May 2021 until its dissolution in May 2023. Mr. Riley served as director of Select Interior Concepts, Inc. from November 2019 until October 2021. He also previously served on the boardsboard of Aldila,Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. from 2003 to February 2010, Alliance Semiconductor Corp. from July 2005 to February 2012, Cadiz Inc.(NYSE: BW) from April 20132019 to June 2014, DDI Corp.September 2020; Sonim Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONM) from May 2007October 2017 to MayMarch 2019; and Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC (fka Franchise Group, Inc., a public company (Nasdaq: FRG), with the last day of 2012, National Holdings Corporationtrading of 8/21/23) from April 2012 to October 2012, Strasbaugh from July 2010 toSeptember 2018 through March 2020, rejoining in August 2013, STR Holdings, Inc. from March 2014 to August 2014, and Trans World Entertainment Corp. from January 2009 to July 2012. He also served on the board of directors for several private companies.2023. Mr. Riley received his B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. Mr. Riley’s experience and expertise in the investment banking industry provides ourthe Board with valuable insight into the capital markets. Mr. Riley’s extensive experience serving on other public company boards is an important resource for ourthe Board.

Andrew GumaerThomas J. Kelleher has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Great American Group, LLC (“GAG, LLC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, since we acquired such entity in July 2009 and as a director of the Company since July 2009. Mr. Gumaer also served as our Chief Executive Officer from July 2009 until the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition in June 2014, and as our Chairman from March 2012 until June 2014. Prior to July 2009, Mr. Gumaer was a co-founder of GAG, LLC, had served as GAG, LLC’s ChiefCo-Chief Executive Officer since May 2007July 2018 and previously served as GAG, LLC’s President from June 2006 to May 2007. Prior to assuming such role, Mr. Gumaer was the President of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interest to GAG, LLC, from 2002 to May 2006. Mr. Gumaer also served as the Senior Vice President of Garcel, Inc. from 1997 to 2002 and as a Senior Vice President with the investment banking firm Drexel Burnham Lambert prior to his service with Garcel, Inc. Mr. Gumaer’s in depth knowledge of our business and operations, his experience in the investment banking industry, and leadership as GAG, LLC’s Chief Executive Officer and/or President since 2006 positions him well to serve as a member of our Board.

2

Matthew J. Hart hasboard since October 2015. He also previously served as a director sincePresident from August 2014 to July 2009.2018. Mr. Hart was President andKelleher previously served as Chief OperatingExecutive Officer of Hilton Hotels Corporation, referredB. Riley & Co., LLC, a position he held from 2006 to herein as Hilton, from May 2004 until2014. From the buyout of Hilton by a private equity firmfirm’s founding in October 2007.1997 to 2006, Mr. Hart also served as Executive Vice President andKelleher held several senior management positions with B. Riley & Co., LLC, including Chief Financial Officer of Hilton from 1996 to 2004. Prior to joining Hilton in 1996, Mr. Hart was Senior Vice President and Treasurer of The Walt Disney Company and was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Host Marriot Corp.Compliance Officer. Mr. Hart received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from Vanderbilt University in 1974 and earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from Columbia University in 1976. Mr. Hart currently serves on the board of directors of American Airlines, Air Lease Corporation and American Homes 4 Rent. Mr. Hart formerlyKelleher served on the board of directors of Kilroy Realty Corp.Special Diversified Opportunities Inc. from 1997October 2015 to 2007 and America West Holdings Corp. from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Hart’s extensive experience and expertise with public companies is well suited forJune 2017. He received his role as the designated financial expert and chairman of our Audit Committee. He also brings extensive experience serving on other public company boards which provide important resources in his service on our Board.

Hugh G. Hiltonhas served as a director since July 2009. Mr. Hilton has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Alvarez & Marsal Capital Real Estate, LLC, which he co-founded in December 2008, the real estate and investment management arm of Alvarez & Marsal. From 2003 to December 2008, Mr. Hilton served as the founding Managing Director of Catalyst, LLC, a restructuring and turnaround firm.  Mr. Hilton has been involved in over 25 corporate restructuring and turnaround engagements, during which he provided financial advisory services and/or filled interim senior management roles, such as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and/or Chief Restructuring Officer at both public and private middle market companies.  Prior to 2003, Mr. Hilton served as a Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal, President of HVK, Inc., President First Interstate Bancorp’s real estate fund advisory arm, and Vice President of BankAmerica Investment Real Estate. Mr. Hilton holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business AdministrationScience in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan as well as a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado.Lehigh University. Mr. Hilton is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute. Mr. Hilton’s financialKelleher’s experience and expertise in the real estate and restructuring industries is particularly relevant to the Board as we expand our current service offerings. Heinvestment banking industry provides the Board with importantvaluable insight into corporate restructuring.

Richard L. Todaro, CFA, has served as a director since July 2014.the capital markets. Mr. TodaroKelleher’s executive leadership experience is President of Todaro Capital. Mr. Todaro previously spent 20 years at Kennedy Capital Management, managing the Small Cap Growth portfolio therean important resource for the past 10 years. He held several positions at Kennedy Capital Management, including Analyst, Assistant Director of Research, Assistant Portfolio Manager, Portfolio Manager, and Vice President andBoard.

Robert L. Antin has served as a member of the Board since June 2017. Mr. Antin was a co-founder of VCA Inc., a national animal healthcare company that provides veterinary services, diagnostic testing and various medical technology products and related services to the veterinary market and was publicly traded (Nasdaq: WOOF) until the company was privately acquired in September 2017. Mr. Antin has served as a Chief Executive Officer and President at VCA Inc. since its inception in 1986. Mr. Antin also served as the Chairman of the Board of VCA, Inc. from inception through the September 2017 acquisition. Mr. Antin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (NYSE: REXR) since July 2013, and Passion Dental, a private company, since 2020. He previously served on the Board of Heska Corporation (Nasdaq: HSKA) from November 2020 to May 2023. From September 1983 to 1985, Mr. Antin was President, Chief Executive Officer, a director, and co-founder of AlternaCare Corp., a publicly held company that owned, operated and developed freestanding out-patient surgical centers. From July 1978 until September 1983, Mr. Antin was an officer of American Medical International, Inc., an owner and operator of health care facilities. Mr. Antin received his MBA with a certification in hospital and health administration from Cornell University. Mr. Antin’s executive leadership experience provides an important resource to the Board.


Tammy Brandt has served as a member of the Board since December 20, 2021. Since February 2023, Ms. Brandt has served as a senior member of the legal team at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading global entertainment and sports agency. From March 2021 to January 2023, Ms. Brandt served as Chief Legal Officer; Head of Business and Legal Affairs at FaZe Clan Inc. (Nasdaq: FAZE), a leading gaming, lifestyle, and media platform. A champion of diversity and inclusion, Ms. Brandt devotes her time and voice to organizations that advance and empower students and underrepresented groups. She has served on the Lambda Legal West Coast Leadership Board since 2019. From 2018 to June 2022, Ms. Brandt served on the Board of Cayton Children’s Museum, including as chair of its Audit Committee and a member of its Nomination and Governance Committee. From May 2017 to May 2021, she served as Chief Legal Officer at Dreamscape Immersive, and previously served as Chief Corporate, Securities, M&A and Alliance Counsel at DXC Technology and its predecessor, Computer Sciences Corporation; and as General Counsel at ServiceMesh, Inc., an enterprise software company in the cloud management space. Ms. Brandt is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School, where she was Managing Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review, and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in economics and business administration from Bluffton University. Ms. Brandt’s business and legal experience provides an important resource to the Board.

Robert D’Agostino has served as a member of the Board since October 2015. Mr. D’Agostino has served as President of Q-mation, Inc. since 1999. Q-mation, Inc. is a leading supplier of software solutions targeted at increasing operational efficiencies and asset performance in manufacturing companies. Mr. D’Agostino joined Q-mation, Inc. in 1990 and held various sales, marketing, and operations management positions prior to his appointment as President. He previously served on the board of directors.Alliance Semiconductor Corp. from July 2005 to February 2012. Mr. Todaro spent three yearsD’Agostino graduated from Lehigh University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Mr. D’Agostino’s executive leadership experience provides an important resource to the Board.

Renée E. LaBran has served as a member of the Board since August 11, 2021. Ms. LaBran co-founded Rustic Canyon Partners, a technology venture capital fund launched in 2000, and has served from 2006 to 2021 as Partner with Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners, an investment fund which is now completed, targeting growth investments and lower middle market buy-outs in media, consumer goods, and business and consumer services industries. During this time, she served as a board director and advisor to multiple portfolio companies while providing oversight of her investment firm’s finance and operations functions. Ms. LaBran currently serves on the board of Idealab, Inc. since March 2015 and Stravos Education, LLC since August 2022. Ms. LaBran previously served on the boards of Iconic Sports Acquisition Corp (NYSE:ICNC-UN) from October 2021 to October 2023; Sambazon, Inc. from 2009 to 2021; and TomboyX from 2018 to 2019. From March 2015 to December 2020, she served as a governor-appointed non-attorney public member on the Board of Trustees for the State Bar of California. Ms. LaBran is an Adjunct Professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management’s MBA program, earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School, and received an A.B. degree in Economics from UC Berkeley. Ms. LaBran’s board experience, business and financial acumen, and venture capital experience provide an important resource to the Board.

Randall E. Paulson has served as a member of the University of Missouri – St. Louis Finance Department. HeBoard since June 18, 2020. Mr. Paulson currently serves on the Board of Directors of Testek Inc. and Dash Medical Holdings, LLC and previously served on the Boards of EAG, Inc. from 2008 to 2017, and L-com, Inc. from 2012 to 2016. Testek, EAG and L-com are portfolio companies of Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC where he served as an advisory board member for Gateway Greening.a Managing Principal from 2005 to 2019. Prior to this, Mr. Todaro also servedPaulson was Executive Vice President — Acquisitions and Strategic Development at National Financial Partners, a New York based consolidator of independent financial services distribution firms. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Paulson was at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. where he was a Senior Managing Director in the Air National Guard asMergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Finance groups. Prior to Bear Stearns, Mr. Paulson was a staff sergeant from 1991 to 1997.member of GE Capital’s merchant banking group. A native of Minnesota, Mr. TodaroPaulson received a BSBABSB in FinanceAccounting from the University of Missouri – St. LouisMinnesota and his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Paulson’s financial services industry and accounting experience will provide an important resource to the Board.

Michael J. Sheldon has served as a Mastermember of Financethe Board since July 2017. Mr. Sheldon served as CEO of Deutsch North America, one of the most awarded creative agencies in the United States, from January 2015 until his retirement in December 2019. Mr. Sheldon had also served as CEO of Deutsch’s Los Angeles office from September 1997 to January 2015. Mr. Sheldon received a B.A. degree from Saint Louis University.Michigan State University in Advertising. Mr. TodaroSheldon’s entrepreneurial skills and marketing experience provide an important resource to the Board.

Mimi K. Walters has also passedserved as a member of the UniformBoard since July 12, 2019. She served from 2015 to 2019 as the U.S. Representative for California’s 45th Congressional District. She has worked on key legislation, business and policy initiatives related to technology, energy, environmental and healthcare, including the opioid crisis and veterans’ medical services. As a member of House leadership, she served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Ms. Walters represented California’s 37th State Senate District from 2008 to 2014, where she served on the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and as Vice Chair for the Public Employment and Retirement Committee. From 2004 to 2008, she represented California’s 73rd Assembly District. Ms. Walters was a member of the Laguna Niguel City Council from 1996 to 2004, serving as Mayor in 2000, and chair of Laguna Niguel’s Investment Advisor Law examination. Mr. Todaro’sand Banking Committee. Previously, Ms. Walters was an investment executive at Drexel Burnham Lambert and, subsequently, Kidder, Peabody & Co. from 1988 to 1995. Currently, Ms. Walters is the Chief Commercial Officer for Leading Edge Power Solutions, LLC since November 2019 and serves on the Board of Directors of Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: EOSE) since November 2020. Ms. Walters earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Walters extensive political and financial experience and expertise inprovides an important resource to the asset management industry provides our Board valuable insight into the capital markets industry.Board.


 

Executive Officers

Executive officers are elected by our Board and serve at its discretion. There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other directors or executive officers. Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers as of April 30, 2015.March 31, 2024.

NamePositionAge
Bryant R. RileyChairman and ChiefCo-Chief Executive Officer4857
Thomas J. KelleherPresidentCo-Chief Executive Officer4756
Kenneth YoungPresident60
Phillip J. AhnChief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer4554
Andrew GumaerMooreChief Executive Officer of GAG, LLCB. Riley Securities, Inc.47
Alan N. Forman54Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary63
Howard WeitzmanSenior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer62

Messrs.Bryant Riley and Gumaer’sThomas Kelleher’s biographical information is included above with those of the other members of our Board.

Thomas J. KelleherKenneth Young has served as our President since August 2014.July 2018, and previously served as a director of the Company from May 2015 to October 2016, during which he was chair of the Board’s Audit Committee and member of the Board’s Compensation and Corporate Governance committees. Mr. KelleherYoung also serves as Chief Executive Officer of our wholly owned subsidiary B. Riley & Co., LLC. Prior to our acquisition of such entity in June 2014, Mr. Kelleherhas served as Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co.,Principal Investments, LLC since 2006. From 1997 to 2006, Mr. Kelleher held other senior management positions withOctober 2016. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Principal Merger Corp., from October 2018 to February 2020, at which time it completed its business combination with Alta Equipment Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALTG). Mr. Young previously served on the board of Charah Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:CHRA) from August 2021 to September 2022. Mr. Young serves as Chief Executive Officer of Babcock & Co.Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:BW) since November 2018 and Chairman of the Board since September 2020.; he also has served as Chief Executive Officer since November 2018. Mr. Young has served as a member of the board of Sonim Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONM) from 2018 to February 2022. He also served on the board of bebe stores, inc. (OTC:BEBE) from January 2018 to April 2019, Standard Diversified (NYSE:SDI) from 2015 to 2017, Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE: GSAT) from November 2015 to December 2018, Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: OESX), LLC, including Chief Financial Officerfrom August 2017 to May 2020, and Franchise Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRG) (fka Liberty Tax, Inc.), from 2018 to 2020. From August 2008 to March 2016, Mr. Young served as the President and Chief Compliance Officer. He received hisExecutive Officer of Lightbridge Communications Corporation. Mr. Young holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Illinois and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical EngineeringComputer Sciences from LehighGraceland University.

Phillip J. Ahnhas served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer since April 2013 and previously served as our Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development from February 2010 to April 2013. Prior to joining the Company,B. Riley, Mr. Ahn served as Vice President of Altpoint Capital Partners from June 2009 to February 2010 and as Vice President of Stone Tower Equity Partners, from June 2007 to June 2009. Prior to 2007,a middle market private equity firm and its successor.  Mr. Ahn also served as Senior Investment Officer at the NY State Common Retirement Fund and also held investment banking positions at both Salomon Smith Barney and CIBC World Markets. Prior to starting his investment banking career, Mr. Ahn was a research analyst at Standard & Poor’s J.J. Kenny division. Mr. Ahn received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan in 1992 and his MBA in Finance from Columbia University, in 1997, graduating with Beta Gamma Sigma honors. Mr. Ahn is a CFA charterholder and member of the NYCFA Society New York.

Andrew Moore was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Security Analysts.

3

B. Riley Securities, Inc. on July 10, 2018, prior to which he served as President of B. Riley Securities, Inc. from 2016 to 2018. In 2006, Mr. Moore joined B. Riley & Co., LLC as an institutional sales professional, promoted to Director of Sales in 2011. In addition to his responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moore has played a critical role structuring issuer financings, placing the related instruments into the firm’s proprietary institutional client base, and ensuring appropriate secondary market support. Previously, Mr. Moore held sales positions at Roth Capital Partners and Bear Stearns & Co. Mr. Moore received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business.

Significant Employees

Set forth below is information regarding our significant employees as of April 30, 2015.

NamePositionAge
Scott K. CarpenterExecutive Vice President, Retail Services59
Lester M. FriedmanManaging Director, Great American Group Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC55
Howard E. WeitzmanSenior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer53

Scott K. CarpenterAlan N. Forman has served as our Executive Vice President, Retail ServicesGeneral Counsel and Secretary since July 2009 andMay 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Forman served as GAG, LLC’s ExecutiveSenior Vice President and DirectorGeneral Counsel of Operations, Retail Services since June 2006. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Carpenter was the SeniorSTR Holdings, Inc. from April 2012 until May 2015, and as Vice President of Operations of The Pride Capital Group, LLC, predecessor in interestand General Counsel from May 2010 to GAG, LLC,April 2012. Mr. Forman was also a partner at Brown Rudnick LLP from 2001May 1998 to May 20062010. Mr. Forman brings extensive experience in corporate and the Vice President of Operations of Garcel, Inc. from 1997 to 2000. From 1995 to 1997,securities law including intellectual property, licensing agreements, financing transactions, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Carpenter was responsible for operations in 155 Office Depot stores in 17 states as Regional Operations Manager. Prior to his service with Office Depot, Mr. Carpenter served asForman holds a Buyer and as Director of Store Operations of Hechinger stores in both domestic and international operations from 1987 to 1995. Mr. Carpenter also previously worked for Booz, Allen and Hamilton and McDonnell Aircraft Company. Mr. Carpenter received his Bachelor of ScienceB.A. in Economics from Emory University and a J.D. from the George MasonWashington University in 1978 and earned a Master of Arts from George Mason University in 1982. As a result of the BRC Acquisition, our Board Law School.

Howard Weitzman has determined that, effective as of October 2014, Mr. Carpenter no longer satisfies the requirements to be deemed an executive officer as that term is defined inRule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Lester M. Friedman is founder and Managing Director of Great American Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC since April 2009 and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Great American Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC from 2002 to April 2009 and as the Chief Operating Officer of such entity from 2000 to 2002. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Friedman was the Chief Operating Officer of the Garcel, Inc. Appraisal Division from 1996 to 2000 and the Chief Financial Officer of Garcel, Inc. from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Friedman was also the Controller and Director of Inventory Appraisal and Valuations for Gordon Brothers Partners. Mr. Friedman received his Bachelor of Business Studies in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in 1982 and was a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Massachusetts from 1982 to 1990 while he worked for Laventhol Horwath. 

Howard E. Weitzman has served asour Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer since December 2009. Prior to December 2009, Mr. Weitzman worked as a consultant from November 2008 assisting clients with financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, including consulting for the Company from April 2009 on various accounting and financial reporting matters in connection with the Company’s transaction with Alternative Asset Management Acquisition Corp. (“AAMAC”). From December 2006 to October 2008, Mr. Weitzman served as a Senior Manager in the SEC Services Group in the audit practice at Moss Adams, LLP. Mr. WeitzmanLLP and also spent 12worked twelve years in public accounting at two “Big 4” accounting firms, most recently from 2003 to October 2005 as a Senior Manager in the financial services audit practice of Deloitte & Touche, LLP. Mr. Weitzman also held various senior financial management positions, including from 1994 to 2003, with Banner Holdings, Inc. as the Chief Financial Officer of Central Financial Acceptance Corporation and Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Central Rents, Inc. Mr. Weitzman also served as a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Peoples Choice Financial Corporation from October 2005 to October 2006.Corporation. Mr. Weitzman received a B.S. in Accounting from California State University, Northridge and is a California licensed Certified Public Accountant.


 

Corporate Governance

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)

The Company recognizes the increasing importance of environmental, social and governance initiatives with respect to all stakeholders. In 2021, the Company formed a management committee to assess our ESG and diversity efforts, to develop and execute our strategies, and to track our progress in this endeavor. We strive to expand our efforts in attracting talent from diverse cultural backgrounds to support the expansion of racial and gender diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industries in which we operate. We participate in targeted job fairs and events to seek out diverse talent recruits. We partner with a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to develop industry education programs that support developing diverse leaders as they prepare to embark upon their careers.

Meetings and Committees of the Board

Our Board is responsible for overseeing the management of our business. We keep our directors informed of our business at meetings and through reports and analyses presented to the Board and the committees of the Board. Regular communications between our directors and management also occur apart from meetings of the Board and committees of the Board.

Meeting Attendance

Our Board normally meets quarterly but may hold additional meetings as required. During fiscal year 2023, the Board held four regularly scheduled meetings, and six additional meetings. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of Board meetings and committee meetings of the Board on which he/she served. We do not have a policy requiring that directors attend our annual meeting of stockholders. A majority of our directors attended our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our Board currently has three standing committees to facilitate and assist the Board in the execution of its responsibilities: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee.Committee (the “ESG Committee”).

Audit Committee

 

Our Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Matthew J. HartRandall E. Paulson (Chairperson), Hugh G. HiltonRenée E. LaBran, and Richard L. Todaro.Robert D’Agostino. On February 15, 2023, upon recommendation from our ESG Committee, our Board of Directors appointed Mr. Paulson as Chairperson of the Committee, and Mr. D’Agostino as a member of the Committee. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee during 2023 was, and each current member is, independent under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2), and meets all other qualifications under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(c) and the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).SEC. Our Board has also affirmatively determined that Matthew J. HartRandall E. Paulson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933. During 2014,2023, the Audit Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings, and 11 additional meetings.

The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter, which is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance.cfm.governance. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include overseeing, reviewing, and evaluating our financial statements, accounting and financial reporting processes, internal control functions and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and as necessary, the termination of our independent auditors.

 

4

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Hugh G. HiltonRobert D’Agostino (Chairperson), Robert L. Antin and MatthewMichael J. Hart. Former director Mark D. Klein served on our Compensation Committee in 2014 until his resignation from the Board in August 2014. OurSheldon. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Compensation Committee during 20142023 was, independent as such term is defined under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the applicable rules of the SEC, and that each current member is, independent as such term is defined under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the applicable rules of the SEC. During 2014,2023, the Compensation Committee met three times. Ourheld four regularly scheduled meetings, and one additional meeting. The Board has adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee Charter”), which is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance.cfm.governance. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to ourthe Board concerning the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, including the ChiefCo-Chief Executive Officer,Officers, and directors, oversees the administration of our stock incentive and employee benefits plans and reviews general policypolicies relating to compensation and benefits.

Corporate GovernanceESG Committee

Our Corporate GovernanceESG Committee is composed of Messrs. Matthew J. HartMimi K. Walters (Chairperson), Robert L. Antin and Hugh G. Hilton. Former director Mark D. Klein served on our Corporate Governance Committee in 2014 until his resignation from the Board in August 2014. OurRenée E. LaBran. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Corporate GovernanceESG Committee during 20142023 was, independent as such term is defined under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2), and that each current member is, independent as such term is defined under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). The Corporate GovernanceESG Committee evaluates and recommends to the Board nominees for each election of directors. The Corporate GovernanceDuring 2023, the ESG Committee met one time in 2014. Ourheld four regularly scheduled meetings. The Board has adopted a charter for the Corporate GovernanceESG Committee (the “ESG Committee Charter”), and a copy of that charter is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance.cfm.governance. The responsibilities of the Corporate GovernanceESG Committee include making recommendations to the Board with respect to the nominations or elections of directors and providing oversight of our corporate governance policies and practices.


 

Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceReports

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such person.

Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from suchour reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders were met in a timely manner, except with respect tofor a late filing of one Form 4 filingfiled by Thomas J. Kelleher, an executive officerHoward Weitzman, our Chief Accounting Officer, on December 29, 2023 in connection with a gift of the Company.certain shares.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers, and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance.cfm,governance, and is also available in print, without charge, to any stockholder who requests a copy by writing to us at B. Riley Financial, Inc., 21860 Burbank11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300 South, Woodland Hills,800, Los Angeles, California 91367,90025, Attention: Investor Relations. Each of our directors, employees, and officers, including our ChiefCo-Chief Executive Officer,Officers, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, and all of our other principal executive officers, are required to comply with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. There have not been any waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics relating to any of our executive officers or directors in the past year.

Corporate Governance Documents

Our corporate governance documents, including the Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Corporate GovernanceESG Committee Charter and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, are available, free of charge, on our website at http:https://ir.brileyfin.com/governance.cfm.governance. Please note, however, that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered part of, this Form 10-K.10-K/A. We will also provide copies of these documents, free of charge, to any stockholder upon written request to B. Riley Financial, Inc., 21860 Burbank11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300 South, Woodland Hills, California, 91367,800, Los Angeles, CA 90025, Attention: Investor Relations.

Changes in Stockholder Nomination Procedures

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend individuals for consideration by the ESG Committee as potential nominees for director since such procedures were last described in our annual proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 18, 2023.

Board Leadership Structure

Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Bylaws, the Board may, but is not required to, select a Chairman of the Board on an annual basis. In addition, the positions of Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer may be filled by one individual or two different individuals. Bryant Riley, our Co-Chief Executive Officer, currently serves as Chairman of our Board.

The Board has determined that its current structure, with a combined Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer and independent directors as members of each Board committee, is in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. The Board believes that combining the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer positions is currently the most effective leadership structure for our Company given Mr. Riley’s in-depth knowledge of many of the businesses and industries in which we operate, his ability to formulate and implement strategic initiatives, and his extensive contact with and knowledge of certain of our customers. In addition, as a member of our Board of Directors since 2009, Co-Executive Chairman of B. Riley Securities, Inc., Chairman of B. Riley & Co., LLC since founding the stock brokerage firm in 1997 and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC from 1997 to 2006, Mr. Riley provides important continuity in the operation of our business and its oversight by our Board. His knowledge and experience, as well as his role as our Co-Chief Executive Officer, position him to elevate the most critical business issues for consideration by our independent directors.

We believe that the independent nature of the Board committees, as well as the practice of our independent directors regularly meeting in executive session without members of the Board who are also members of management including Bryant Riley and Thomas Kelleher or other members of our management present, ensures that our Board maintains a level of independent oversight of management that we believe is appropriate for our Company. We do not have a lead independent director; however, pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the non-management members of the Board may at any time decide to appoint a Presiding Director to provide leadership of executive sessions of the Board and consult with the Chairman with respect to matters to be brought before the Board, should it believe that such an appointment would be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of our Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company. No member of our Compensation Committee or our Board is or has been in 2023 an executive officer of another entity at which one of our executive officers serves or has in 2023 served on either the board of directors or the Compensation Committee. For information about related person transactions involving members of our Compensation Committee, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”


 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following compensation discussion and analysis provides information regarding our overall compensation philosophy and objectives and the elements of compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2023.

Our named executive officers for 2023, determined in accordance with SEC rules, are:

Bryant R. Riley, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer

Thomas J. Kelleher, Co-Chief Executive Officer

Phillip J. Ahn, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Kenneth Young, President

Andrew Moore, Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc.

Alan N. Forman, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Executive Summary

2023 Compensation Philosophy

Our executive compensation program is designed (i) to provide incentives to our executive officers to manage and grow our businesses and (ii) to attract, retain, and motivate top quality, effective executives. In addition to general senior management responsibilities, each of our named executive officers also has revenue production or management responsibilities within our operating subsidiaries. In determining compensation for our named executive officers, the primary emphasis is on our consolidated financial performance, but each individual’s performance and/or business unit performance are considered. The effective implementation of this program plays an integral role in our success.

The Compensation Committee of the Board has responsibility for overseeing our compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee has the primary authority to determine and recommend to the Board for final approval the compensation of our named executive officers.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

A substantial portion of each named executive officer’s total compensation is variable and delivered on a pay-for-performance basis. We believe this model provides a key incentive to motivate management to achieve our business objectives. The executive compensation program provides compensation opportunities contingent upon performance that we believe are competitive with practices of other similar financial services firms. We strongly believe that the components of our compensation programs align the interests of our named executive officers with our stockholders and promote long-term stockholder value creation.

We link rewards to both corporate and individual performance, emphasizing long-term results and alignment with our stockholders’ interests. We align compensation with business strategy and risk and provide a mix of performance and retentive-based compensation. Long-term equity compensation is an integral part of our compensation program with awards of equity subject to vesting requirements, including continued employment. Although we do not have formal equity ownership guidelines for our executive officers and other key leaders of our Company, we encourage our executives to maintain a meaningful ownership interest in our Company, in order to align their interests with those of our stockholders.

Our executives are eligible for the same benefit plans available to all of our employees, and we do not provide any executive perquisites, defined benefit plans, or other retirement benefits (other than the defined contribution plan available to employees generally).

Principles and Objectives of Our Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee of our Board has discretionary authority over the compensation of our named executive officers. In developing a compensation program for our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee’s goal is to link compensation decisions to both corporate and individual performance, with a focus on rewarding the achievement of financial results, as well as rewarding the individual performance and accomplishments of our named executive officers in light of their respective duties and responsibilities, the impact of their actions on our strategic initiatives, and their overall contribution to the culture, strategic direction, stability and performance of our Company. Our Co-Chief Executive Officers recommend to the Compensation Committee the amount and form of compensation for each of our named executive officers other than themselves, and the amount and form of compensation for our Co-Chief Executive Officers are initially developed by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee with input from the committee’s independent compensation consultant, as necessary, and are then reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee retains the discretion to compensate and reward our named executive officers based on a variety of other factors, including subjective or qualitative factors.


 

Principles

Our compensation program for our named executive officers is designed to attract, retain, and motivate executives and professionals of the highest quality and effectiveness while aligning their interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders. The following five “Principles of Compensation” summarize key categories that our Board, the Compensation Committee, and our management team believe are critical to recognize:

Company Performance — All compensation decisions are made within the context of overall Company performance. We evaluate Company performance primarily from a financial perspective, but also from a strategic perspective.

Alignment — We believe that the interests of our employees and stockholders should be aligned. Compensation directly reflects both the annual and longer-term performance of the business.

Risk Management — Compensation practices and decisions are designed to neither encourage nor reward excessive or inappropriate risk taking.

Employee Contribution — An individual’s compensation, evaluated within the context of overall Company results, is determined by the individual’s contribution to the business. We consider both financial and non-financial factors. In determining individual compensation, teamwork and unselfish behavior are recognized and appropriately rewarded.

Quality and Retention of Staff — Total compensation levels are calibrated to the market such that we remain competitive for attracting, motivating, and retaining the very best people in light of our business strategy. We seek to maximize the value of an executive’s compensation through both appropriate pay design and effective communication of pay programs. Compensation is structured to encourage long-term service and loyalty.

Objectives

The Compensation Committee seeks, through our compensation programs, to foster an entrepreneurial, results-focused culture that we believe is critical to the success of our Company and to the long-term growth of stockholder value. In addition to appropriately rewarding individual performance, viewed in light of each named executive officer’s duties, responsibilities and function, the Compensation Committee also believes that it is critical to encourage commitment among the named executive officers to our overall corporate objectives and culture of partnership. A key objective of our overall compensation program is for the named executive officers to have a significant portion of their compensation linked to building long-term value for our stockholders.

Role of Independent Compensation Consultant

In 2023, the Compensation Committee retained Mercer LLC, an independent consulting firm, to assist the Compensation Committee in fulfilling its duties in setting compensation for our Co-Chief Executive Officers and other named executive officers. Mercer was engaged by and is reporting solely to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to approve the terms of the engagement. Mercer did not provide any services to the Company in Fiscal 2023 other than executive compensation consulting services provided to the Compensation Committee. Before engaging Mercer, the Compensation Committee determined that Mercer is independent, after taking into account the factors set forth in Rule 10C-1 of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(d)(3). Mercer identified a group of public peer companies to benchmark compensation for our Co-Chief Executive Officers and other named executive officers against peer company Chief Executive Officers and market survey data. Mercer’s analysis considered: (i) base salary; (ii) annual incentive compensation; (iii) total cash compensation; (iv) long-term incentive compensation; (v) and total direct compensation.

Peer Group

As part of its services, in 2023, Mercer compiled data regarding Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officer compensation from the following “peer” companies: BGC Group, Inc., Canaccord Genuity Inc., Cowen Inc., Greenhill & Co. Inc., Houlihan Lokey Inc., Lazard Ltd., Moelis & Company, Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., Perella Weinberg Partners, Piper Sandler Cos and PJT Partners Inc. This peer group includes companies primarily consisting of investment banks and asset managers with revenues and market capitalizations most comparable to ours. Though the Compensation Committee considered the level of compensation paid by the firms in the peer group as a reference point that provides a framework for its decisions regarding compensation for the Co-Chief Executive Officers and other named executive officers, in order to maintain competitiveness and flexibility, the Compensation Committee did not target compensation at a particular level relative to the peer group. Similarly, the Compensation Committee did not employ a formal benchmarking strategy or rely upon specific peer-derived targets. This peer group market data is an important factor considered by the Compensation Committee when setting compensation, but it is only one of multiple factors considered by the Compensation Committee, and the amount paid to each named executive officer may be more or less than the composite market median based on individual performance, the roles and responsibilities of the executive, experience level of the individual, internal equity and other factors that the Compensation Committee deems important.


 

5

Review of Stockholder Advisory Votes on Our Executive Compensation

Consistent with the preference of our stockholders, which was expressed at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders held in Beverly Hills, CA, our stockholders currently have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on our executive compensation once every three years. At our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, our executive compensation received a favorable advisory vote from 91.24% of the votes cast on the proposal at the meeting (which excludes abstentions and broker non-votes). The Compensation Committee believes this approval affirmed stockholders’ support of our approach to executive compensation, and therefore the Compensation Committee did not significantly change our compensation policies, philosophy, structure, or levels in response to such advisory vote. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of stockholder advisory votes on our executive compensation when making compensation decisions for our named executive officers and in respect of our compensation programs generally.

Elements of 2023 Compensation

This section describes the various elements of our compensation program for our named executive officers in 2023, summarized in the table below, and the Compensation Committee’s rationale for including the items in our compensation program. As detailed below, the primary elements of our compensation program during 2023 consisted of base salary, discretionary bonuses, or “at risk,” compensation opportunities, and long-term equity incentive compensation. We also provided benefit programs that apply to all employees. The elements of our executive compensation program are summarized as follows:

ElementDescriptionFunction
Base SalaryFixed cash compensationProvides basic compensation at a level consistent with competitive practices; reflects role, responsibilities, skills, experience, and performance; encourages retention
Annual Incentive PlanAnnual discretionary bonuses awarded based on individual contribution and Company performance; payable in cash or stock at the discretion of the Compensation CommitteeMotivates and rewards for achievement of annual Company financial and non-financial performance goals; rewards excellent performance relative to the duties, responsibilities, and functions of an individual executive officer
Long-Term Equity IncentivesEquity awards granted at the Compensation Committee’s discretion under the 2021 B. Riley Financial, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”)Motivates and rewards for financial performance over a sustained period; strengthens mutuality of interests between executives and stockholders; increases retention; rewards creation of shareholder value

Base Salary

The purpose of base salary is to provide a set amount of cash compensation for each named executive officer that is not variable in nature and is generally competitive with market practices. Consistent with our performance-based compensation philosophy, the base salary for each named executive officer is targeted to account for less than half of total direct compensation.

The Compensation Committee seeks to pay our named executive officers a competitive base salary in recognition of their job responsibilities for a publicly-held company by considering several factors, including competitive factors within our industry, past contributions and individual performance of each named executive officer, as well as retention. In setting base salaries, the Compensation Committee is mindful of total compensation and the overall goal of keeping the amount of cash compensation that is provided in the form of base salary substantially lower than the amount of bonus opportunity that is available, assuming that performance targets are met or exceeded.

Base salaries for Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman remained unchanged in 2023.

B. Riley Financial, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan

The Compensation Committee believes performance-based cash compensation is important to focus B. Riley’s executives on, and reward B. Riley’s executives for, achieving key objectives. In furtherance of this, in July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an annual incentive compensation discretionary bonus plan for our named executive officers, which remained in place for Fiscal 2023. The purpose of the B. Riley discretionary bonus plan is to increase stockholder value and the success of B. Riley by motivating key employees, including B. Riley’s named executive officers, to perform to the best of their abilities and to achieve B. Riley’s objectives. No specific target levels of performance are set by the Compensation Committee to determine the annual incentive compensation of our named executive officers. Instead, the Compensation Committee determines the amount of each named executive officer’s annual incentive compensation based on the Compensation Committee’s subjective assessment of the Company (and in some cases, of a particular business unit) and individual performance relative to the qualitative and quantitative performance indicators used by the Compensation Committee to evaluate performance.


Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

The Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of our named executive officer compensation should be in the form of equity-based awards as a retention tool, and to align further the long-term interests of our named executive officers with those of our other stockholders. In furtherance of that objective, the Compensation Committee makes annual grants of long-term, equity-based incentive compensation awards to our named executive officers.

The Compensation Committee understands that equity incentive compensation can promote high-risk behavior if the incentives it creates for short-term performance are not properly aligned with the interests of our Company over the long-term. The Compensation Committee believes that the structure of our Company’s long-term equity incentive compensation appropriately mitigates the risk by directly aligning the recipients’ interests with those of our Company. We use judgment and discretion rather than relying solely on formulaic results, and do not use highly leveraged incentives that drive risky short-term behavior. Instead, we reward consistent and longer-term performance. Our long-term equity incentive compensation rewards long-term performance on a per share basis.

In February 2023, the Compensation Committee granted time-based restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”) under the 2021 Plan to our named executive officers as a component of their annual compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as further described below in the “Executive Compensation-2023 Summary Compensation Table” and “2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.” The RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on March 15, 2024, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment with our Company. The Compensation Committee believes that these awards appropriately align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders and retain, motivate, and reward such executives.

Timing Mix and Level of Equity Compensation Awards

In determining the number and type of equity awards to grant in any fiscal year, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors, including the responsibilities and seniority of the named executive officer, the contribution that the named executive officer is expected to make to our Company in the coming years and has made in the past, and the size and terms of prior equity awards granted to the named executive officer. Decisions regarding these equity awards are typically made at the Compensation Committee’s first fiscal quarter meeting at which executive compensation for the coming year is determined. However, the Compensation Committee may also grant equity awards from time to time based on individual and corporate achievements and other factors it deems relevant, such as for retention purposes or to reflect changes in responsibilities or similar events or circumstances.

Change in Control and Post-Termination Severance Benefits

The employment agreements for each of our named executive officers provide them certain benefits if their employment is terminated under specified conditions. The Compensation Committee believes these benefits are important elements of each named executive officer’s comprehensive compensation package, primarily for their retention value and their alignment of the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders. The details and amounts of these benefits are described in the Executive Compensation section under “Payment Due Upon Termination Without Cause, for Death or Disability, or Resignation for Good Reason.”

Anti-Hedging Policy

Our insider trading policy prohibits any covered person, including directors, executive officers, and certain other employees, as well as certain immediate family members and entities over which such person exercises control, from entering into the following prohibited transactions with respect to Company securities, unless advance approval is obtained from the Company’s chief compliance officer:

Short sales. Covered persons may not sell the Company’s securities short;

Options trading. Covered persons may not buy or sell puts or calls or other derivative securities on the Company’s securities;

Trading on margin or pledging. Covered persons may not hold Company securities in a margin account or pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan; and

Hedging. Covered persons may not enter into hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to Company securities.

The Company also requires all directors, executive officers, and certain other persons to refrain from trading without first pre-clearing all transactions in the Company’s securities.


Employment Agreements

Amended and Restated Employment Agreements

The Company is party to employment agreements with each of the named executive officers, which agreements were amended and restated on April 11, 2023.

The material terms of the amended and restated employment agreements for each such executive are as follows:

An initial term of two years with automatic one year renewals unless either party notified the other party of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term.

An annual base salary, subject to review and adjustment on an annual basis, in the amounts of: $700,000 per year for Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, $450,000 per year for Mr. Ahn, $550,000 per year for Mr. Young, $550,000 per year for Mr. Moore and $450,000 per year for Mr. Forman.

Eligibility for annual performance bonuses based on individual performance and/or Company performance in an amount determined by the Company in its sole discretion, to be paid in cash less applicable withholdings no later than March 15th of the following calendar year subject to the executive’s continued employment through the payment date.

Eligibility for each fiscal year to receive an annual long-term incentive award under our equity incentive plan with a value determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Each such award will be subject to approval of the Compensation Committee and vest annually over a three-year period.

Notwithstanding the terms of any existing agreement or plan, all outstanding unvested stock options, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other unvested equity linked awards granted to such individual during the term of such individual’s employment agreement shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan) and exercisable for the remainder of their full term.

Participation in benefit plans for our executives, reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such executive in the performance of such executive’s respective duties and vacation in accordance with our policies.

A requirement for each party to give twenty (20) days prior written notice to terminate such individual’s employment.

If such executive is terminated with Cause (as defined in the employment agreements) or resigns without Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreements), such individual receives such individual’s base salary and accrued unused leave through termination.

If such executive is terminated without Cause, for death or for Disability (as defined in the employment agreements) or resigns for Good Reason, such executive receives, subject to the execution of a general release, a severance payment payable in one lump sum within 60 days of termination in an amount equal to the four (4) times such individual’s base salary for Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, and two (2) times such individual’s base salary for Messrs. Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman. In such circumstances, such individual shall also be eligible for reimbursement for the monthly COBRA premium paid by such executive for himself (and his dependents, if applicable), for a period ending upon the earliest of the twelve (12) month anniversary of such termination and the date on which such executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.

Restrictive covenants, including non-competition and client non-solicitation covenants that apply while the executive is employed by the Company, an employee non-solicitation covenant that applies while the executive is employed by the Company and for one year thereafter and perpetual confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, which appears elsewhere in this Amendment to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to our board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included herein.

 Respectfully submitted,
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert D’Agostino
Robert L. Antin
Michael J. Sheldon


Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The tables below reflect the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for an explanation of our compensation philosophy and program.

2023 Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows information concerning the annual compensation for services provided to us by our named executive officers during fiscal 20142023, 2022 and 2013.

      Nonqualified      
      Deferred Nonequity    
      Compensation Incentive All Other Total
    Salary Earnings Compensation Compensation Compensation
Name and Principal Position (1) Year ($) ($)(2) ($)(3) ($)(4) ($)
                         
Bryant R. Riley  2014   152,308   —     —     33,416   185,724 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (5)  2013   —     —     —     —     —   
                         
Andrew Gumaer  2014   462,462   —     —     29,411   491,873 
Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLC (6)  2013   627,000   —     —     41,500   662,803 
                         
Harvey M. Yellen  2014   462,462   —     —     23,078   485,540 
Former Vice Chairman and President (7)  2013   627,000   —     —     35,803   662,803 
                         
Phillip J. Ahn  2014   325,000   —     75,000   31,811   431,811 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and  2013   300,092   —     140,000   29,763   469,855 
Chief Operating Officer (8)                        
                         
Scott K. Carpenter  2014   278,801   7,334   —     32,092   318,227 
   Executive Vice President, Retail Services (9)  2013   265,575   46,000   126,800   31,900   470,275 
                         
Thomas J. Kelleher  2014   199,782   —     100,000   3,846   303,628 
President (10)  2013   —     —     —     —     —   

2021.(1)

 

Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 Bonus (2)
($)
 Stock
Awards (3)
($)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
 All Other
Compensation (4)
($)
 Total
($)
 
Bryant R. Riley 2023  700,000  -  1,889,256             -  2,974,063  5,563,318 
Chairman and Co-Chief 2022  700,000  -  2,118,490  -  548,758  3,367,249 
Executive Officer 2021  639,616  5,600,000  13,413,655  -  353,167  20,006,437 
                      
Thomas J. Kelleher 2023  700,000  -  1,889,256  -  2,974,063  5,563,318 
Co-Chief Executive Officer 2022  700,000  2,800,000  2,118,490  -  548,758  6,167,249 
  2021  639,616  5,600,000  13,413,655  -  304,292  19,957,562 
                      
Phillip J. Ahn 2023  450,000  675,000  944,609  -  1,485,871  3,555,479 
Chief Financial Officer and Chief 2022  450,000  675,000  1,109,676  -  264,968  2,499,643 
Operating Officer 2021  419,808  1,350,000  7,096,615  -  164,961  9,031,383 
                      
Kenneth Young 2023  550,000  -  708,456  -  2,420,493  3,678,950 
President 2022  550,000  750,000  1,109,676  -  1,168,749  3,578,425 
  2021  550,000  2,200,000  6,464,615  -  1,523,536  10,738,151 
                      
Andrew Moore 2023  550,000  1,100,000  944,609  -  1,663,877  4,258,485 
Chief Executive Officer, 2022  550,000  1,100,000  1,109,676  -  289,174  3,048,850 
B. Riley Securities, Inc. 2021  519,808  2,200,000  7,468,215  -  181,686  10,369,709 
                      
Alan N. Forman 2023  450,000  675,000  283,398  -  611,714  2,020,112 
Executive Vice President, General 2022  450,000  675,000  207,309  -  159,475  1,491,785 
Counsel & Secretary 2021  404,712  1,350,000  1,958,136  -  121,167  3,834,014 

(1)(1)The table above summarizes the total compensation earned by each of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20142023, 2022, and 2013.

(2)The amounts listed in this column include nonqualified deferred compensation earnings which represents the above market earnings on the deferred compensation from the GAG, LLC Phantom Stock Plan. Earnings are for2021. Neither Mr. Riley nor Mr. Kelleher, each of whom were directors during all or a portion of the fiscal years ended December 31, 20142023, 2022, and 2013. Above market earnings is the amount earned at 12.0% that exceeds 120% of the applicable federal tax long-term rate. 

(3)The amounts listed in this column include nonequity incentive compensation earned by each of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

(4)The amounts listed in this column include other compensation detailed in the following table:

   AutoCompany-paidLife and Director Fees Earned  
   Allowance Medical/Dental Disability Or paid in Cash Total
Name Year ($) ($) ($) ($)(11) ($)
Bryant R. Riley 2014  —     3,416   —     30,000   33,416 
  2013  —     —     —     —     —   
                       
Andrew Gumaer 2014  12,000   17,020   391   —     29,411 
  2013  24,000   15,967   1,533   —     41,500 
                       
Harvey M. Yellen 2014  12,000   10,687   391   —     23,078 
  2013  24,000   10,270   1,533   —     35,803 
                       
Phillip J. Ahn 2014  14,400   17,020   391   —     31,811 
  2013  12,600   15,966   1,197   —     29,763 
                       
Scott K. Carpenter 2014  14,400   17,301   391   —     32,092 
  2013  14,400   15,967   1,533   —     31,900 
                       
Thomas J. Kelleher 2014  —     3,846   —     —     3,846 
  2013  —     —     —     —     —   

6

(5)Mr. Rileywas appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company following the BRC Acquisition in June 2014.  Mr. Riley has served as a director of the Company since August 2009.  Compensation information in the table above for Mr. Riley reflects2021, received any compensation for his services as a directordirector.

(2)Bonus amounts in 20142023, 2022, and 2021 were discretionary bonuses for named executive officers approved by the Compensation Committee.

(3)Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of RSUs and performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) granted during the period priorapplicable fiscal year. The assumptions used in the calculations for these amounts are described in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. For a discussion of the material terms of outstanding RSUs and PRSUs, see the table below entitled “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End.”


(4)The table below shows the components of the All Other Compensation column.

Name Dividend
Rights Paid
Upon 2023
Vesting of
RSUs (1)
($)
  401k Plan
Match (2)
($)
  Other (3)
($)
  Total
($)
 
             
Bryant R. Riley  2,969,113   4,950   -   2,974,063 
                 
Thomas J. Kelleher  2,969,113   4,950   -   2,974,063 
                 
Phillip J. Ahn  1,480,921   4,950   -   1,485,871 
                 
Kenneth Young  1,498,877   4,950   916,667   2,420,493 
                 
Andrew Moore  1,663,877   -   -   1,663,877 
                 
Alan N. Forman  606,764   4,950   -   611,714 

(1)Reflects accrued dividend rights paid upon (i) February 8, 2023 vesting of PRSUs originally granted on February 17, 2021, (ii) May 24, 2023 vesting of RSUs originally granted on May 21, 2020, and (iii) June 2, 2023 vesting of RSUs originally granted on May 28, 2021 and May 24, 2022, in each case in accordance with award agreements, as approved by the Compensation Committee.

(2)Reflects the maximum 401(k) employer match for 2023 ($4,950), which was received by each of our NEOs who contributed to the initial closing401(k) in 2023. Our executive officers are eligible for the same 401(k) match program as is available to all employees.

(3)Reflects payments to Mr. Young pursuant to a services agreement between one of our wholly owned subsidiaries and Mr. Young for consulting services to Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. in the BRC Acquisition, and as an employeecapacity of the Company following the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition.

(6)Mr. Gumaer served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company until June 2014.  Following the BRC Acquisition in June 2014, Mr. Gumaer continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLCBabcock & Wilcox Enterprises.


2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table presents information concerning each grant made to our named executive officers in our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, under any equity or non-equity incentive plan.

Name Grant Date All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of
Units of
Stock (1)
(#)
  Grant Date
Fair Value (2)
($)
 
Bryant R. Riley 2/24/2023  49,225   1,889,256 
           
Thomas J. Kelleher 2/24/2023  49,225   1,889,256 
           
Phillip J. Ahn 2/24/2023  24,612   944,609 
           
Kenneth Young 2/24/2023  18,459   708,456 
           
Andrew Moore 2/24/2023  24,612   944,609 
           
Alan N. Forman 2/24/2023  7,384   283,398 

(1)On February 24, 2023, we granted our NEOs RSU awards as a component of their annual compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The RSUs will vest one-third on March 15, 2024, one-third on March 15, 2025, and no longer serves asone-third on March 15, 2026, subject to continued employment with our Company through each vesting date. Each RSU represents the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chairman.

(7)Mr. Yellen served as Vice Chairman and Presidentright to receive one share of our common stock. Additionally, each of the Company until June 2014.  Followingabove award recipients has the BRC Acquisition in June 2014, Mr. Yellen served as the President of GAG, LLC and no longer served as the Company’s President or Vice-Chairman.  Mr. Yellen also previously served as Chief Operating Officer until April 2013.  Mr. Yellen’s serviceright to receive promptly following each vesting date an amount equal to the Company as an employee ceasedproduct of (i) the number of RSUs vested on February 17, 2015.  

(8)Mr. Ahn was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Financialsuch vesting date, multiplied by (ii) the total dividends declared and Chief Operating Officer on April 15, 2013.

(9)Mr. Carpenter has served as our Executive Vice President, Retail Services since July 2009.  As a resultpaid per share of the BRC Acquisition, our Board has determined that, effective as of October 2014, Mr. Carpenter no longer satisfies the requirements to be deemed an executive officer as that term is defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(10)Mr. Kelleher has served as our President since August 2014 and has served as Chief Executive Officer of our wholly owned subsidiary B. Riley & Co., LLCcommon stock since the BRC Acquisitiondate of award.

(2)Represents the grant date fair value, which has been computed in June 2014.  accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.


 

(11)Mr. Riley, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, received the compensation indicated in the column Director Fees Earned or Paid in Cash for his services as a director of the Company in 2014 during the period prior to the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition in June 2014, at which time he became an employee of the Company and received no further compensation for his services as a director.  Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen were also directors of the Company in 2013 and 2014.  Mr. Yellen resigned as a director of the Company in August 2014.  Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen received no additional compensation for services as directors for 2013 or 2014.

2023 Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2014Fiscal Year-End

There are noThe following table provides information concerning outstanding equity awards forheld by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2014.2023.

Name Number of
Units of
Stock That Have
Not Vested (1)
(#)
  Market Value
of Units of
Stock That Have
Not Vested (2)
($)
  Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Units
of Stock That Have
Not Vested (3)
(#)
  Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market Value
of Unearned
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested (4)
($)
 
Bryant R. Riley (5)  91,260   1,915,547   150,000   3,148,500 
                 
Thomas J. Kelleher (6)  91,260   1,915,547   150,000   3,148,500 
                 
Phillip J. Ahn (7)  46,629   978,743   85,000   1,784,150 
                 
Kenneth Young (8)  40,476   849,591   65,000   1,364,350 
                 
Andrew Moore (9)  46,629   978,743   85,000   1,784,150 
                 
Alan N. Forman (10)  11,497   241,322   17,089   358,698 

(1)Represents awards of RSUs granted under the 2021 Plan.

(2)The market value of awards of RSUs that have not yet vested is based on the number of unvested RSUs as of December 31, 2023, multiplied by the closing sale price of our common shares on December 29, 2023 ($20.99 per share), the final trading day of the year.

(3)Represents awards of PRSUs granted on October 27, 2021 under the 2021 Plan, with vesting upon the earlier to occur of: (a) the Company achieving the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135, defined as the consecutive five trading day average closing price of one share of Company common stock, plus the aggregate amount of dividends paid with respect to such share of common stock assuming the dividends had been reinvested in common stock as of the ex-dividend date, within three years from the date of grant, provided that the PRSUs will not vest prior to February 28, 2024; or (b) immediately prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan).

(4)The market value of awards of PRSUs that have not yet vested is based on the number of unvested PRSUs as of December 31, 2023, multiplied by the closing sale price of our common shares on December 29, 2023 ($20.99 per share), the final trading day of the year.

(5)Unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by Mr. Riley at December 31, 2023, vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 16,409 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2024, 16,408 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2025 and 16,408 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 28,005 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2024 and 14,030 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2025. 150,000 PRSUs will vest in full by October 27, 2024 (but not earlier than February 28, 2024) if the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135 is achieved.

(6)Unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by Mr. Kelleher at December 31, 2023, vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 16,409 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2024, 16,408 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2025 and 16,408 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 28,005 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2024 and 14,030 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2025. 150,000 PRSUs will vest in full by October 27, 2024 (but not earlier than February 28, 2024) if the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135 is achieved.

(7)Unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by Mr. Ahn at December 31, 2023, vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 8,204 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2024, 8,204 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2025 and 8,204 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 14,668 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2024 and 7,349 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2025. 85,000 PRSUs will vest in full by October 27, 2024 (but not earlier than February 28, 2024) if the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135 is achieved.

(8)Unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by Mr. Young at December 31, 2023 vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 6,153 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2024, 6,153 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2025 and 6,153 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 14,668 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2024 and 7,349 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2025. 65,000 PRSUs will vest in full by October 27, 2024 (but not earlier than February 28, 2024) if the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135 is achieved.

 

Employment Agreements  


 

On July 31, 2009, we entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Carpenter, Gumaer and Yellen.

 

(9)Unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by Mr. Moore at December 31, 2023 vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 8,204 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2024, 8,204 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2025 and 8,204 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 14,668 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2024 and 7,349 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2025. 85,000 PRSUs will vest in full by October 27, 2024 (but not earlier than February 28, 2024) if the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135 is achieved.

(10) Unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by Mr. Forman at December 31, 2023 vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 2,462 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2024, 2,461 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2025 and 2,461 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 2,740 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2024 and 1,373 RSUs will vest in full on June 2, 2025. 17,089 PRSUs will vest in full by October 27, 2024 (but not earlier than February 28, 2024) if the Adjusted Stock Price Hurdle of $135 is achieved.

2023 Stock Vested

The employment agreement with Mr. Carpenter has no defined lengthfollowing table provides information on the value realized by each of employment. Either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, subject to possible severance paymentsour named executive officers as set forth below. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Carpenter is entitled to receive (i) an annual base salary of at least $260,465 for the period from July 31, 2012 to July 31, 2013, $273,488 for the period from July 31, 2013 to July 31, 2014 and $287,163 for the period from July 31, 2014 to July 31, 2015, (ii) annual increases to his annual base salary of no less than five percent, (iii) an annual discretionary bonus, (iv) a monthly automobile allowance of $1,200, (v) indemnification, and an agreement from the Company to hold Mr. Carpenter harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities incurred by Mr. Carpenter in connection with employment by us and (vi) severance payments if his employment relationship is terminated by us without “Cause” or by Mr. Carpenter with “Good Reason,” or upon the death or disability of Mr. Carpenter. For purposes of such severance, “Good Reason” is defined as (a) a material diminution in Mr. Carpenter’s base salary, authority, duties, or responsibilities; (b) a material diminution in the budget over which Mr. Carpenter retains authority; (c) a material change in the geographic location at which Mr. Carpenter must perform services; or (d) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breachresult of the termsvesting of the employment agreement. Such severance will consist of payment of a lump sum equal to one year of base salary, a lump sum equal to the highest annual bonus paidPRSUs and RSUs during the term of employment or the first target bonus in the event of termination prior to any bonus being paid, and a lump sum equal to 12 times the monthly COBRA premiums for Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Carpenter’s spouse and dependents. Severance will not be owed if Mr. Carpenter terminates the employment relationship without Good Reason or if we terminate the relationship for “Cause.” “Cause” exists if Mr. Carpenter: (1) engages in gross misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of Mr. Carpenter’s duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of Mr. Carpenter’s employment consistent with Mr. Carpenter’s position with us; (2) engages in fraud, dishonesty, or any other improper conduct that causes material harm to the Company or its business or reputation; (3) materially breaches the employment agreement; or (4) is convicted of, or pleads guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude (excluding traffic offenses). In addition to the benefits set forth in his employment agreement, in accordance with a bonus plan approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee, Mr. Carpenter was entitled to nonequity incentive compensation for fiscal 2013 and 2014, and will be entitled to nonequity incentive compensation for fiscal 2015, based on the (A) financial performance of the Company’s retail and international divisions reflecting percentages of divisional profit ranging from 2% to 4% depending on the division and level of profit achieved and subject to conditions relating to minimum divisional profit and (B) overall profitability of the Company, subject to the discretion of management, the approval of the Compensation Committee and a maximum annual ceiling. The foregoing bonus program is subject to an aggregate annual ceiling of five times Mr. Carpenter’s annual base salary, which ceiling is currently $1,435,815. Pursuant to the foregoing, Mr. Carpenter received nonequity incentive compensation for fiscal 2013 totaling $126,800, which was received based on the financial performance of the Company’s retail and international divisions. Mr. Carpenter was not entitled to receive any nonequity incentive compensation for fiscal 2014.

7

year ended December 31, 2023.

Name Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (1)
(#)
  Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 
       
Bryant R. Riley  191,917   7,472,567 
         
Thomas J. Kelleher  191,917   7,472,567 
         
Phillip J. Ahn  96,166   3,743,658 
         
Kenneth Young  97,088   3,777,615 
         
Andrew Moore  107,088   4,173,615 
         
Alan N. Forman  37,358   1,457,896 

(1)PRSUs of Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman vested on February 8, 2023 as follows: 150,000, 150,000, 75,000, 75,000, 85,000, and 30,000, respectively. The closing price of our common stock on that date was $39.60 in accordance with the B. Riley Financial, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”) definition of Fair Market Value (FMV). RSUs of Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman vested on May 24, 2023 as follows: 13,827, 13,827, 6,452, 7,374, 7,374, and 4,609, respectively. The closing price of our common stock on that date was $36.83 in accordance with the 2009 Plan definition of Fair Market Value (FMV). RSUs of Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman vested on June 2, 2023 as follows: 28,090, 28,090, 14,714, 14,714, 14,714, and 2,749, respectively. The closing price of our common stock on the prior trading date was $36.43, in accordance with the 2021 Plan definition of Fair Market Value (FMV).

 

The employment agreements


Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Each of Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen were amended and restated in their entirety on May 19, 2014, in connection with the BRC Acquisition, with changes effective as of June 18, 2014, the date of the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition. Priorour named executive officers is party to such amendment and restatement of such agreements, such agreements provided that, among other things, Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen were each entitled to receive (i) annual base salaries of at least $694,675 for the period from July 31, 2012 to July 31, 2013 and $729,303 for the period from July 31, 2013 to July 31, 2014; however, each of Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen accepted a reduced base salary of $500,000 for fiscal 2012, $627,000 for fiscal 2013 and $630,000 for fiscal 2014, (ii) annual increases to their the annual base salaries of no less than five percent, (iii) an annual discretionary bonus, (iv) monthly automobile allowances of $2,000 and (v) indemnification and severance consistent with the provisions described above for Mr. Carpenter.

On June 18, 2014, we entered into an employment agreement with the Company, the material terms of which are discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Employment Agreements.” Each of the employment agreements provides for a severance payment equal to four (4) times such individual’s base salary for Mr. Riley and the amendedMr. Kelleher, and restated employment agreements referenced above with Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen. Pursuant to the terms of thetwo (2) times such employment agreements, from and after June 18, 2014, Messrs. Gumaer, Riley and Yellen are entitled to receive an annualindividual’s base salary of $300,000, subject to adjustment in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committeefor Messrs. Ahn, Young, Moore and solely with respect to Mr. Yellen, decreasing to $200,000 on the first anniversary of the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition and $100,000 on the second anniversary of the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition. SuchForman. The employment agreements also provide for reimbursement of a portion of the executive’s COBRA premiums for up to twelve months following a qualifying termination. Qualifying terminations include (i) termination without Cause by the Company, (ii) termination due to death or disability and (iii) resignation for Good Reason, as such terms are defined therein. In addition, the employment agreements provide that all outstanding and unvested equity-based awards, including PRSUs, become fully vested upon a change of control.

The tables below provide information about the payments and other benefits to which each of our named executive officers would be entitled upon a certain terminations of employment or in the event of a change in control. The tables below show, for each named executive officer, our estimates of potential cash payments and other benefits that would have been paid to the NEO assuming that (i) a qualifying termination or change in control was effected as of December 31, 2023, and (ii) the market value of RSUs and PRSUs that were unvested as of December 29, 2023 was $20.99 per share, which was the closing price of Company common stock on December 29, 2023, the final trading day of the year. The tables below also assume that all salary amounts earned by each NEO through the date of termination or change in control had already been paid. As a result, all amounts in these tables are only estimates, and the actual amounts that would be paid can only be determined at the time of the event triggering the payments.

Payments Due Upon Termination Without Cause, for Death or Disability, or Resignation for Good Reason

  Cash
Payment (1)
  Stock
Awards (2)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
  All Other
Compensation (3)
  Benefits (4)  Total 
Name ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($) 
Bryant R. Riley  2,800,000   1,915,547            -   560,902   35,592   5,312,042 
Thomas J. Kelleher  2,800,000   1,915,547   -   560,902   35,592   5,312,042 
Phillip J. Ahn  900,000   978,743   -   289,102   21,859   2,189,704 
Kenneth Young  1,100,000   849,591   -   264,490   35,592   2,249,673 
Andrew Moore  1,100,000   978,743   -   289,102   31,490   2,399,335 
Alan N. Forman  900,000   241,322   -   65,150   -   1,206,472 

(1)In the event of involuntary termination without Cause, for death or disability, or resignation for Good Reason, in accordance with their employment agreements, Messrs. Riley and Kelleher shall each receive a severance payment equal to 4x his base salary, and Messrs. Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman shall each receive a severance payment equal to 2x his base salary.

(2)Upon termination without Cause or for death or disability or resignation for Good Reason, in accordance with award agreements, unvested time-based RSUs shall vest. The market value is based on the number of RSUs that would vest multiplied by $20.99, which was the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2023, the final trading day of the year. PRSUs would be forfeited in the event of any type of termination and, therefore, no amount attributable to outstanding PRSUs is included in this column.

(3)Upon vesting of RSUs, accrued dividend rights, equivalent to dividends declared and paid per share of common stock from June 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023, are paid for RSUs awarded in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in accordance with award agreements.

(4)According to the terms of their employment agreements, executives shall be reimbursed the difference between the cost of health insurance coverage under COBRA and premiums paid by similarly situated employees for 12 months, or until the executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.


Payments Due Upon Termination With Cause or Resignation Without Good Reason (1)

Cash
Payment
Stock
Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation 
(1)
All Other
Compensation
BenefitsTotal
Name($)($)($)($)($)($)
Bryant R. Riley      -     -     -    -     -     -
Thomas J. Kelleher------
Phillip J. Ahn------
Kenneth Young------
Andrew Moore------
Alan N. Forman------

(1)In the event an executive is terminated by the Company with Cause or resigns without Good Reason, the executive shall only be paid his base salary through the effective of termination.

Payments Due Upon Change in Control

  Cash
Payment
  Stock
Awards (1)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
  All Other
Compensation (2)
  Benefits  Total 
Name ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($) 
Bryant R. Riley       -   5,064,047        -   2,360,902         -   7,424,949 
Thomas J. Kelleher  -   5,064,047   -   2,360,902   -   7,424,949 
Phillip J. Ahn  -   2,762,893   -   1,309,102   -   4,071,995 
Kenneth Young  -   2,213,941   -   1,044,490   -   3,258,431 
Andrew Moore  -   2,762,893   -   1,309,102   -   4,071,995 
Alan N. Forman  -   600,020   -   270,218   -   870,238 

(1)In accordance with executive employment agreements and RSU and PRSU award agreements, unvested RSUs and PRSUs will vest upon Change in Control. The market value is based on the number of RSUs and PRSUs that would vest multiplied by $20.99, which was the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2023, the last trading day of the year.

(2)Upon vesting of RSUs and PRSUs upon a Change in Control, accrued dividend rights, equivalent to dividends declared and paid per share of common stock from June 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023, are paid for RSUs and PRSUs awarded in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in accordance with award agreements.


Risks Related to Compensation Policies and Practices

The Compensation Committee has considered and regularly monitors whether our overall employee compensation program creates incentives for employees to take excessive or unreasonable risks that could materially harm our business. Although risk-taking is a necessary part of building any business, the Compensation Committee focuses on aligning our compensation policies with the long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders and avoiding short-term rewards for management or other employee decisions that could pose long-term risks to the Company. We believe that several features of our compensation policies for management-level employees appropriately mitigate these risks, including a mix of long- and short-term compensation incentives that we believe is properly weighted for a company of our size, in our industry and with our stage of growth, and the uniformity of compensation policies and objectives across our employees. We also believe our internal legal and financial controls appropriately mitigate the probability and potential impact of an individual employee committing us to a harmful long-term business transaction in exchange for short-term compensation benefits.

CEO Pay Ratio

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are providing disclosure regarding the ratio of annual discretionary bonustotal compensation of Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, our Co-CEOs, to that of our median employee. Our median employee earned $94,627 in total compensation for 2023. Based upon the total 2023 compensation reported for each of Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher of $5,563,318, as reported under each CEO’s “Total” in the Summary Compensation Table, our ratio of Co-CEO pay to median employee pay was 59:1. Our median employee is employed in our B. Riley Corporate Services subsidiary.

Calculation Methodology

To identify our median employee, we identified our total employee population worldwide as of December 29, 2023, excluding our Co-CEOs, in accordance with SEC rules. On December 29, 2023, 82% of our employee population was located in the U.S., with 18% in non-U.S. locations.

We collected full-year 2023 actual gross earnings data for the December 29, 2023 employee population, including cash-based compensation and equity-based compensation that was realized in 2023, relying on our internal payroll records. Compensation was annualized on a straight-line basis for non-temporary new hire employees who did not work with our Company for the full calendar year.

Once we determined the median employee, we calculated total compensation for the median employee in the same manner in which we determine the compensation shown for our named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table, in accordance with SEC rules.


Equity Compensation Plan Information

The B. Riley Financial, Inc. 2009 Plan, the 2021 Plan, and the reimbursement of certain business expenses. Each such employment agreement also contains an indemnification provision wherein2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”).

On May 27, 2021, the Company promises to defend, indemnify,2009 Plan was replaced by the 2021 Plan. Information about the 2009 Plan, the 2021 Plan and hold the respective employee harmlessESPP at December 31, 2023 was as follows:

Plan Category Number of
Shares to
be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
(a)
  Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights(2)
(b)
  Number of
Securities
Remaining 
Available for
Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in
column (a))
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders:  2,141,329(1)     1,828,799(3)
          
Total  2,141,329      1,828,799 

(1)Includes unvested RSU and PRSU awards granted under the 2009 Plan and the 2021 Plan.

(2)RSU and PRSU awards listed in column (a) have no associated exercise price.

(3)Includes 1,591,850 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2021 Plan and 236,949 shares remaining available for issuance under our ESPP.

For more information on our equity compensation plans, see Notes 19 and 20 to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities incurred by such employeeConsolidated Financial Statements in connection with employment byour annual report on Form 10-K for the Company. The term of each such employment agreement is three years from June 18, 2014, which term shall be automatically extended for onefiscal year terms, unless either party gives the other party not less than 90 days’ prior written notice of the intention to not extend such amendment and restated employment agreement automatically. Mr. Yellen’s employment with the Company ceased on February 17, 2015.ended December 31, 2023.

 

The Company has not entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Ahn or Mr. Kelleher.


 

Director Compensation

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

We use cash and equity basedequity-based compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that our directorsmembers of the Board expend in fulfilling their duties to our Company,us, the skill level required by ourof such members of the Board and other relevant information. The Compensation Committee and ourthe Board have the primary responsibility for reviewing, considering any revisions to, and approving director compensation. The Company doesWe do not pay itsour management directors for Boardboard service in addition to their regular employee compensation.

 

Prior to August 1, 2014,Since June 30, 2020, each of our non-employee directors has received annual fees of $60,000,$75,000 in cash, payable in quarterly installments,instalments, and $75,000 in equity in the chairpersonform of restricted stock units granted under the 2021 Plan. Such restricted stock units are subject to vesting and will vest on the earlier of the date of our next annual meeting or May 23, 2024, subject to continued service on the Board through such vesting date. In addition, each of our non-employee directors shall have the right to receive promptly following the vesting date an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of RSUs vested on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total dividends declared and paid per share of common stock since the date of award. Such vesting is subject to full acceleration in the event of certain change in control transactions for us.

In addition to the foregoing, the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and Corporate Governancethe ESG Committee receivedreceive annual fees of $18,000, $12,000$15,000, $10,000 and $6,000, respectively. In addition,$5,000, respectively, and each of our non-employee directors that is a member of ourthe Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate GovernanceESG Committee receivedreceives annual fees of $9,000, $6,000$5,000, $2,500 and $3,000,$2,500, respectively.

 

Since August 1, 2014, each ofFrom time to time, our non-employee directors has received annual fees of $15,000 in cash, payable in quarterly installments, and $15,000 inmay receive additional compensation through equity incompensation or otherwise at the form of restricted stock units under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Such restricted stock units are subject to vesting and, for the restricted stock units issued in 2014, will vest in full on July 31, 2015, contingent upon continued servicediscretion of the applicable non-employee director ondisinterested directors of the Board through such date. In additionfor extraordinary service relating to their capacity as members of the foregoing, the chairpersons of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee each receive additional annual fees of $2,000 in cash as compensation for such service.Board.

 

2023 Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the total compensation that our directorsmembers of the Board (other than directors who are named executive officers) earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142023 for services rendered as members of ourthe Board.

 

  Fees Earned or Stock  
Name (1) Paid in Cash ($) Awards ($) (4) Total ($)
Matthew J. Hart  72,250   15,000   87,250 
Hugh G. Hilton  67,250   15,000   82,250 
Mark D. Klein (2)  51,750   —     51,750 
Richard L. Todaro (3)  3,750   15,000   18,750 

8

Name(1) Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
  Stock
Awards(2)
($)
  All Other
Compensation(3)
($)
  Total
($)
 
Robert L. Antin  60,000   75,000   5,960   140,960 
Tammy Brandt  56,250   75,000   5,960   137,210 
Robert D’Agostino  66,861   75,000   5,960   147,821 
Renée E. LaBran  61,875   75,000   5,960   142,835 
Randall E. Paulson  66,196   75,000   5,960   147,156 
Michael J. Sheldon  58,125   75,000   5,960   139,085 
Mimi K. Walters  60,000   75,000   5,960   140,960 

 

________________________

(1)Bryant R. Riley, a member of the Board, our ChiefChairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman, Andrew Gumaer,Thomas J. Kelleher, a director and the Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLC, and Harvey M. Yellen, a former executive officer and directormember of the Company,Board and our Co-Chief Executive Officer, are not included in this table because as employees Messrs. Riley Gumaer and. Yellen were named executive officers during 2014. Mr. Yellen resigned as a director of the Company in August 2014 and ceased to be an employee of the Company on February 17, 2015.  Messrs. Gumaer and YellenKelleher received no additional compensation for services as directors for 2014.2023. The compensation received by Messrs. GumaerRiley and YellenKelleher as our employees of the Company is shown in the Summarysummary compensation table provided above in “Executive Compensation-Summary Compensation Table above.  Mr. Riley, who has been a director of the Company since August 2009, became our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman following the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition in June 2014.  The compensation received by Mr. Riley for his services as a director in 2014 during the period prior to the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition, and as an employee of the Company following the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition, is shown in the Summary Compensation Table above.Table.”

 

(2)(2)Mr. Riley, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, received the compensation indicated above for his services as a director in 2014 during the period prior to the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition on June 18, 2014, at which time he became an employee of the Company.  The compensation received by Mr. Riley as an employee of the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table above.

(3)Mr. Klein resigned from the Board effective August 22, 2014.

(4)Mr. Todaro was appointed to the Board effective July 28, 2014.

(5)The amounts in the Stock Awards column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted to the applicable director in 20142023 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. The CompanyOn May 23, 2023, we granted 1,9531,997 restricted stock units to each applicable director on September 9, 2014Robert Antin, Tammy Brandt, Robert D’Agostino, Renée E. LaBran, Randall Paulson, Michael Sheldon, and Mimi Walters for such director’sdirectors’ annual stock grant of $15,000$75,000 as a non-employee director. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock units was $7.68$37.55 per share.  All awards will vest on the earlier of May 23, 2024 or our 2024 annual meeting, subject to continued service on the Board through such vesting date. In addition, each of our non-employee directors shall have the right to receive promptly following the vesting date an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of RSUs that vested on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total dividends declared and paid per share on September 9, 2014.  As stated above,of common stock since the date of grant. Vesting for all such restricted stock units vestawards is subject to full acceleration in full on July 31, 2015,the event of certain change in control transactions with respect to us and is contingent upon continued service of the applicable director on the Board through suchthe applicable vesting date. All 1,953As of December 31, 2023, restricted stock units granted to D’Agostino, Antin, Brandt, LaBran, Paulson, Sheldon, and Walters in the amount of 1,997 each, such director remained outstanding as of December 31, 2014.remain outstanding.

 

(3)Reflects accrued dividend rights paid upon May 24, 2023 vesting of RSUs originally granted on May 24, 2022, in accordance with award agreements, as approved by the Compensation Committee.

 


 

 

9

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder MattersMatters.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock as of April 25, 2015,16, 2024, by (i) each person we know to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock; (ii) each named executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) each of our directors; and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the individuals listed below is the address appearing on the cover of this Annual Report.

  Shares Beneficially
Owned (2)
Name or Group of Beneficial Owners (1) Number Percent
Named Executive Officers:        
Bryant R. Riley (3)  3,944,910   24.2%
Andrew Gumaer (4)  600,000   3.7%
Phillip J. Ahn  15,000   * 
Thomas J. Kelleher  440,248   2.7%
Harvey M. Yellen (5)  264,000   1.6%
Scott Carpenter (6)  50,006   * 
         
Directors:        
Hugh G. Hilton (7)  12,021   * 
Matthew J. Hart  12,521   * 
Richard L. Todaro  1,152   * 
         
Executive officers and directors as a group (7 persons):  5,025,852   30.8%
         
5% Stockholders:        
Funds associated with Elliott Associates, L.P. (8)  2,306,450   14.1%
Funds associated with Nokomis Capital, L.L.C. (9)  1,200,000   7.4%
Lloyd I. Miller, III and associated persons (10)  2,207,420   13.5%
DJ Investments LLC: Series E (11)  2,000,000   12.3%
Funds associated with Dialectic Capital Management, LLC (12)  831,935   5.1%

 

  Shares Beneficially
Owned(2)
 
Name or Group of Beneficial Owners(1)   Number  Percent 
Directors and Named Executive Officers:        
Bryant R. Riley(3)    6,919,557   23.0%
Thomas J. Kelleher(4)    984,663   3.3%
Phillip J. Ahn  253,312   * 
Kenneth Young  242,232   * 
Andrew Moore(5)    291,619   1.0%
Alan N. Forman  124,271   * 
Robert L. Antin(6)    502,995   1.7%
Tammy Brandt  6,195   * 
Robert D’Agostino  160,570   * 
Renée E. LaBran  6,734   * 
Randall E. Paulson  318,979   1.1%
Michael J. Sheldon  56,677   * 
Mimi K. Walters  10,262   * 
         
Executive officers and directors as a group (14 persons):  9,927,306   32.9%
 5% Stockholders:          
BlackRock, Inc.(7)    2,875,473   9.5%
Daniel Asher and associated persons(8)    2,561,600   8.5%
Neil S. Subin as President and Manager of MILFAM LLC and associated persons(9)    1,819,030   6.0%

 

*Represents less than 1%.

(1)Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each holder is c/o B. Riley Financial, Inc., 21860 Burbank Blvd.,11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300 South, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.800, Los Angeles, California 90025.

(2)Applicable percentage ownership is based on 16,301,940 30,142,863 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 25, 2015.16, 2024. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and is based on voting and investment power with respect to shares, subject to the applicable community property laws. Shares of our common stock subject to options or other contractual rights currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days after April 25, 2015,16, 2024, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(3)Mr. Riley has served as a director of the Company since August 2009 and was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company following the BRC Acquisition in June 2014.  Represents 3,744,810 shares6,726,248 of our common stock held of recordshares beneficially owned by Mr. Riley 100 sharesdirectly or jointly with his wife; 70,151 of our common stockshares beneficially owned by Mr. Riley in custodial accounts for his children; and 123,158 of our common shares held of record by the B. Riley and Co., LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Riley Profit Sharing Plan”) and 200,000 shares of our common stockFBO Bryant Riley, which we refer to as the Riley profit sharing plan. Shares held of record by the Robert Antin Children Irrevocable Trust dtdDtd 1/1/01, (the “Antin Trust”).for which Mr. Riley servesacted as trustee, were transferred to a separate Bob Antin estate planning vehicle prior to the trusteedate of this table. Mr. Riley had no pecuniary interest in the shares. Mr. Riley Profit Sharing Planpledged as collateral 4,389,553 shares in favor of Axos Bank, as approved by our Board of Directors on February 27, 2019, and pursuant to the Antin Trustterms of a Credit Agreement and Pledge Agreement each dated as such, has the power to vote or dispose of the securities held of record by each of the Riley Profit Sharing Plan and the Antin Trust and may be deemed to beneficially own such securities.March 19, 2019. The business address of each of Mr. Riley and the Riley Profit Sharing Plan and the Antin Trustprofit-sharing plan is 11100 Santa Monica Blvd.,Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025.

(4)Mr. Gumaer served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company until June 2014.  Following the BRC Acquisition in June 2014, Mr. Gumaer continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLC and no longer serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chairman.  Represents 264,000 shares32,442 of our common stockshares beneficially owned by Mr. Kelleher, 902,288 of our common shares held of record by Mr. GumaerKelleher and 336,000 sharesM. Meighan Kelleher as trustees for the Kelleher Family Trust, 34,118 of our commons stockcommon shares held by Mr. Kelleher’s self-directed IRA, Thomas John Kelleher IRA, 5,600 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Mary Meighan Kelleher IRA, 3,405 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Lyndsey Kelleher, 3,405 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Kaitlin Kelleher and 3,405 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Mackenna Kelleher.


(5)Mr. Moore pledged 88,043 of his total shares as collateral for a margin loan account.

(6)Represents 80,495 of our common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Antin, 200,000 shares held of record by Andrew & Dana GumaerRobert L. Antin and Patti Antin as Trustees for the GumaerRobert and Patti Antin Living Trust.
(5)Trust, 207,500 shares held in an estate planning vehicle and over which Mr. Yellen served as Vice ChairmanAntin has voting and President of the Company until June 2014.  Following the BRC Acquisition in June 2014, Mr. Yellen served as the President of GAG, LLCdispositive power, and no longer served as the Company’s President or Vice-Chairman.  Mr. Yellen also served as a director to the Company until August 2014.  Mr. Yellen’s service to the Company as an employee ceased on February 17, 2015.
(6)Mr. Carpenter has served as our Executive Vice President, Retail Services since July 2009.  As a result of the BRC Acquisition, our Board has determined that, effective as of October 2014, Mr. Carpenter no longer satisfies the requirements to be deemed an executive officer as that term is defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(7)Represents 11,95315,000 shares of our common stock held of record by Mr. HiltonThe Bob and 2,021 shares of our common stock held of record by Alvarez & Marsal Capital Real Estate, LLC (“A&M”), ofPatti Antin Family Foundation over which Mr. Hilton is the Chief Executive Officer and may be deemed to shareAntin has voting and investment power over the securities held by A&M.dispositive power.

10

 

(8)(7)Based on information provided on aA Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on July 25, 2014 by the Liverpool Limited Partnership, a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (“LLP”), and Middleton International Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“MIL”).  Represents 807,180 shares of our common stock held of record by LLP and 1,499,270 shares of our common stock held of record by MIL.  LLP is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elliott Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EALP”), and MIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elliott International, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership (“EILP”).  Paul E. Singer (“Singer”), Elliott Capital Advisors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Capital Advisors”), which is controlled by Singer, and Elliott Special GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Special GP”), which is controlled by Singer, are the general partners of EALP.  Elliott International Capital Advisors Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EICA”), is the investment manager for EILP.  Hambledon, Inc., a Cayman Islands corporation (“Hambledon”), which is also controlled by Singer, is the sole general partner of EILP.  The business address of each of LLP, MIL, EALP, Singer, Capital Advisors, Special GP and EICA is 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.  The business address of EILP and Hambledon is c/o Maples & Calder, P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Cayman Islands, British West Indies.  
(9)Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A13F form filed with the SEC on February 13, 2015.  Represents shares2024, indicates that, as of December 31, 2023, BlackRock, Inc. had sole voting power over 2,851,761 of our common stock heldshares, and sole dispositive power over 2,875,473 of record by certain private funds and managed accounts for which Nokomis Capital, L.L.C. (“Nokomis”) serves as the investment adviser.  Nokomis may direct the vote and disposition of such securities and may be deemed to beneficially own such securities.  Brett Hendrickson, a principal of Nokomis, may direct the vote and disposition of such securities and may be deemed to beneficially own such securities.our common shares. The business address of NokomisBlackRock, Inc. is 2305 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 420, Dallas, Texas 75201.50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.

(10)(8)Based on information provided on aAn amended Schedule 13G/A13D filed with the SEC on February 5, 2015.January 29, 2024 indicates that, as of December 31, 2023, Daniel Asher had (i) sole voting and dispositive power over 1,005,800 of our common shares, and (ii) with DJ Fund Investments, LLC and associated persons, shared voting and dispositive power over 1,555,800 of our common shares. The business address of Daniel Asher and associates is: c/o Equitec Group LLC, 111 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL  60604.

(9)A Schedule DEF 14 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2023, indicates that, as of March 27, 2023, Neil S. Subin, who has succeeded to the position of President and Manager of MILFAM LLC, which serves as manager, general partner, or investment advisor of a number of entities formerly managed or advised by the late Lloyd I. Miller, III. Mr. Subin also serves as trustee of a number of Miller hasfamily trusts had (i) sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,904,7711,819,030 of suchour common shares of common stock as (i)(A) manager of a limited liability company that is the adviser to certain trusts, (ii)(B) manager of a limited liability company that is the general partner of a certain limited partnership, (iii)(C) manager of a limited liability company, and (iv)(D) an individual. Mr. Miller hasindividual, and (ii) shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 302,649202,649 of suchour common shares of common stock as (i)(A) an advisor to the trustee of a certain trust, (ii)and (B) with respect to shares owned by Mr. Miller’s wife, and (iii) an authorized person with respect to a custody account.  Mr. Miller’s business address is 3300 South Dixie Highway, Suite 1-365, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405.
(11)Based on information provided on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on December 19, 2014.  Represents shares of our common stock held of record by DJ Investments LLC: Series E (“DJ Investments”).  Fred Goldman and Michael LaRocque, each a manager of DJ Investments, have the power to vote or dispose of such securities and may be deemed to beneficially own such securities.wife. The business address of DJ InvestmentsNeil S. Subin is c/o Equitec Group, LLC, 111 W. Jackson Blvd., 20th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
(12)Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 17, 2015.  Represents shares of our common stock held of record by advisory clients of Dialectic Capital Management, LLC (“Dialectic”). John A. Fichthorn and Luke Fichthorn, the managing members of Dialectic, and Dialectic each have shared power to vote or dispose of such securities and may be deemed to beneficially own such securities.  The business address of the Dialectic Capital Management, LLC is 17 State Street, Suite 3930, New York, New York  10004.2336 S.E. Ocean Boulevard, #400, Stuart FL 34996.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Information about our equity compensation plans at December 31, 2014 was as follows:

Plan Category Number of Shares to
be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
(a)
 Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights 
(b)(3)
 Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a)) 
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders (1)  5,859   —     3,194,141 
Equity compensation plans not approved by our stockholders (2)  —     —     —   
Total  5,859   —     3,194,141 

 


 

(1)Includes our Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

(2)All of our equity compensation plans were approved by our stockholders.

(3)Awards listed in column (a) are restricted stock unit awards, which have no associated exercise price.

For more information on our equity compensation plans, see Note 17 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

11

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

 

Other than as described below, since the beginning of fiscal year 2013,2023, there were no transactions with respect to which the Company was or iswe were a partyparticipant or currently proposed transactions with respect to which the Company iswe are to be a partyparticipant in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or member of such person’s immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

John Ahn

 

Mark Weitz, our former President, Wholesale and Industrial Services,The Company is party to an investment advisory services agreement with Whitehawk Capital Partners, L.P. (“Whitehawk”), a limited partnership controlled by John Ahn, who is the brother-in-lawbrother of Andrew Gumaer, a directorPhil Ahn, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Pursuant to this agreement, Whitehawk provides investment advisory services for GACP I, L.P. and GACP II, L.P., limited partnership vehicles which are subsidiaries of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLC. Mr. Weitz participated in various employee benefit programsCompany. During the year ended December 31, 2023, management fees paid for investment advisory services by Whitehawk were $1,142,000. On February 1, 2024, one of the Company, including health insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, and group life and long-term disability coverage, under the plans generally available to all other salaried employees. Mr. WeitzCompany’s loans receivable with a principal amount of $4,521,000 was also a phantom equityholder in GAG, LLC and received additional consideration as more fully described below. Mr. Weitz’s received total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, severance and above market interest on nonqualified deferred compensation, of $244,261 in 2013, including $158,654 in severance payments pursuantsold to a severance agreement and general release between Mr. Weitz and the Company entered into in February 2013 in connection with the cessation of his employment with the Company on February 4, 2013. In addition to the foregoing, the Company paid 100% of the COBRA continuation premiumfund managed by Whitehawk for Mr. Weitz for a period of eleven months ending on January 31, 2014.$4,584,000.

Charlie Riley

 

Brian Yellen, our former Executive Vice President,Charlie Riley is the son of Harvey M. Yellen, a former directorBryant Riley, the Company’s Chairman and executive officer. Mr.Co-Chief Executive Officer, and is employed by the Company’s subsidiary, B. Yellen participated in various employee benefit programs of the Company, including health insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, and group life and long-term disability coverage, under the plans generally available to all other salaried employees. Mr. B. Yellen also was also a phantom equityholder in GAG,Riley Principal Investments, LLC and received additional consideration as more fully described below. Mr. B. Yellen’s received total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, severance and above market interest on nonqualified deferred compensation, of $448,039 in 2014, including $241,492 in severance payments pursuant to a severance agreement and general release between Mr. B. Yellen and the Company in connection with the cessation of his employment with the Company on September 30, 2014. Mr. B. Yellen received total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, commissions, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, and above market interest on nonqualified deferred compensation, of $649,476 in 2013. In addition to the foregoing,an associate. For 2023, the Company paid 100% of the COBRA continuation premium for Mr. B. Yellen for a period of three months ending on December 31, 2014.

Sandy Feldman, our former Senior Vice President, is the son-in-law of Harvey M. Yellen, a former director and executive officer. Mr. Feldman participated in various employee benefit programs of the Company, including health insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, and group life and long-term disability coverage, under the plans generally available to all other salaried employees. Mr. Feldman receivedCharlie Riley total compensation of $217,785, consisting of base salary, bonus, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, and severancean award of $302,801restricted stock units of 738 of our common shares, with a grant date fair value of $28,324, calculated in 2014, including $95,000 in severance payments pursuantaccordance with FASB ASC 718, that vests ratably over three years beginning on March 15, 2024, subject to a severance agreement and general release between Mr. Feldman and the Company in connection with the cessation of his employment with the Company on September 30, 2014. Mr. Feldman received total compensation, consisting of base salary, bonus, commissions, auto allowance, company paid medical, dental and life and disability insurance, of $222,793 in 2013. In addition to the foregoing, the Company paid 100% of the COBRA continuation premium for Mr. Feldman for a period of three months ending on December 31, 2014.continued employment.

 

Private PlacementBabcock & Wilcox

 

On June 5, 2014, we completed a private placement of 10,289,300 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $5.00 per share (the “Private Placement”). Fifty-three accredited investors (the “Investors”) participated in the Private Placement pursuant to the terms and provisions of a securities purchase agreement entered into among us and the Investors on May 19, 2014. At the closingOne of the Private Placement on June 5, 2014, we received net proceeds of approximately $51.2 million. Effective as of the closing, the CompanyCompany’s wholly owned subsidiaries entered into a registration rightsservices agreement with B&W that provided for the Investors (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) which obligated the Company, subject to certain conditions, to file with the SEC one or more registration statements to register the Private Placement Shares and certain shares of common stock issued in connection with the BRC Acquisition (the “Acquisition Shares”) for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to maintain the effectiveness of all such registration statements until the earlier of June 18, 2019 or such time as the Private Placement Shares and Acquisition Shares registered thereunder have been sold or become eligible for sale without restriction under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. After considering the terms of the Private Placement and the interests of certain related parties with respect thereto, the Private Placement and related transactions were unanimously approved by the Board, including all of the members of the Audit Committee. Certain related parties at the time of the Private Placement participated in the Private Placement as Investors as set forth below:

12

Name of Purchaser Relationship to the Company
at time of Private Placement
 No. of Shares
Purchased
 Aggregate Purchase
Price
Elliott International, L.P. (1) Greater than 5% Stockholder*  1,315,400  $6,577,000 
Elliott Associates, L.P. (2) Greater than 5% Stockholder*  684,600  $3,423,000 
Lloyd I. Miller III Greater than 5% Stockholder*  600,000  $3,000,000 
Lloyd I. Miller Trust A-4 Greater than 5% Stockholder*  500,000  $2,500,000 
MILFAM II L.P. Greater than 5% Stockholder*  600,000  $3,000,000 
Susan F. Miller Greater than 5% Stockholder*  200,000  $1,000,000 
Marli B. Miller Managed Custody Greater than 5% Stockholder*  100,000  $500,000 
DJ Fund Investments LLC: Series E Greater than 5% Stockholder*  2,000,000  $10,000,000 
Nokomis Capital Master Fund, L.P. (3) Greater than 5% Stockholder*  1,200,000  $6,000,000 
Dialectic Antithesis Partners, LP Greater than 5% Stockholder*  325,149  $1,625,747 
Dialectic Capital Partners, LP Greater than 5% Stockholder*  133,890  $669,448 
Dialectic Offshore, Ltd. Greater than 5% Stockholder*  340,961  $1,704,805 
Robert Antin Children Irrevocable Trust (4)  200,000  $1,000,000 
Riley Family Trust dtd 6/20/89 modified 4/29/94, 8/31/2000 and 1/25/07 (5)  200,000  $1,000,000 
Andrew Gumaer Executive Officer and Director  336,000  $1,680,000 
Scott Keith Carpenter Executive Officer  42,800  $214,000 
Phillip J. Ahn Executive Officer  15,000  $75,000 
Hugh Hilton Director  10,000  $50,000 
Matthew J. Hart Director  10,000  $50,000 
John Ahn Brother of Executive Officer (Phillip J. Ahn)  68,800  $344,000 

*Each such Investor was individually, or when such Investor’s shares were aggregated with all other members of an associated “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s common stock.
(1)All 1,315,400 of such shares were transferred from Elliott International, L.P. to Middleton International Limited pursuant to a Stock Transfer Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014.
(2)All 684,600 of such shares were transferred from Elliott Associates, L.P. to The Liverpool Limited Partnership pursuant to a Stock Transfer Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014.
(3)70,276 of such shares were transferred from Nokomis Capital Master Fund, L.P. to Moussescapade, L.P. pursuant to a Stock Transfer Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2014. All such shares were transferred back to Nokomis Capital Master Fund, L.P. from Moussescapade, L.P. pursuant to a Stock Transfer Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2015.
(4)Bryant R. Riley, the trustee of the Investor, currently serves as and has served since June 18, 2014 as, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company.  Mr. Riley has also served as a member of the Board since 2009.  Mr. Riley has the power to vote or dispose of the securities held of record by such Investor and may be deemed to beneficially own those securities.
(5)Richard Riley, the trustee of the Investor, is the father of Bryant R. Riley (the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman), and has the power to vote or dispose of the securities held of record by such Investor and may be deemed to beneficially own those securities

13

BRC Acquisition

On June 18, 2014, we completed the initial closing of the BRC Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement”), dated as of May 19, 2014, by and among the Company, Darwin Merger Sub I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiaryPresident of the Company B. Riley Capital Markets, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“BCM”), B. Riley and Co. Inc. (“BRC”), B. Riley & Co. Holdings, LLC (“BRH”), Riley Investment Management LLC (“RIM,” and collectively with BRC and BRH, the “B. Riley Entities”) and Bryant R. Riley (the principal owner of each of the B. Riley Entities). In connection with the BRC Acquisition, Darwin Merger Sub I, Inc. merged with and into BRC, and BRC subsequently merged with and into BCM, with BCM surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. We completed the acquisitions of BRH, whose operations include asset management and financial advisory services, and RIM, which provides services to certain pooled investment vehicles, on August 1, 2014. The total preliminary purchase price for the B. Riley Entities was $26.4 million, which was paid at closing on June 18, 2014, in the form of 4,191,512 newly issued shares of our common stock. The fair value of the newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock for accounting purposes was determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s shares of common stock on the acquisition date, less a 25% discount for lack of marketability as the shares issued were subject to certain restrictions that limited their trade or transfer in the open market. Prior to the BRC Acquisition, Bryant R. Riley was a director and officer of, and the primary equity holder in, BRC and Thomas J. Kelleher was a director and officer of, and an equity owner in, BRC. In connection with the BRC Acquisition, on June 18, 2014 the Company issued (i) Mr. Kelleher 440,248 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for his ownership interests in BRC and (ii) Mr. Riley 3,751,264 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for his ownership interests in BRC. 628,727 of such shares issued to Mr. Riley have been placed into an escrow account governed by the terms and conditions of an escrow agreement, dated as of June 18, 2014 by and among the Company, Mr. Riley and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Inc., as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agreement”). Such escrowed shares will serve as security for the indemnification obligations of Mr. Riley and the B. Riley Entities pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement and also served as security for any downward adjustment to the merger consideration as a result of the final working capital adjustment provided for in the Acquisition Agreement. As a result of such final working capital adjustment, 8,875 of such escrowed shares were forfeited to the Company by Mr. Riley and cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement and Escrow Agreement on December 29, 2014. After considering the terms of the BRC Acquisition and the interests of Mr. Riley with respect thereto, the BRC Acquisition and related transactions were unanimously approved by a special committee of disinterested directors and the Board, including all of the members of the Audit Committee.

Effective upon the closing of the BRC Acquisition on June 18, 2014, (i) Bryant R. Riley was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, (ii) Andrew Gumaer continued to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLCB&W until November 30, 2020 (the “Executive Consulting Agreement”), unless terminated by either party with thirty days written notice. The agreement was extended through December 31, 2028. Under this agreement, fees for services provided are $750,000 per annum, paid monthly. In addition, subject to the achievement of certain performance objectives as determined by B&W’s compensation committee of the board, a bonus or bonuses may also be earned and no longer servespayable to the Company. In March 2022, a $1,000,000 performance fee was approved in accordance with the Executive Consulting Agreement.

On January 18, 2024, the Company, entered into a guaranty (the “Axos Guaranty”) in favor of (i) Axos Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the secured parties under that certain credit agreement, dated as of January 18, 2024, among Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (“B&W”), the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent (the “B&W Axos Credit Agreement”), and (ii) the secured parties. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Axos Guaranty, the Company has guaranteed certain obligations of B&W (subject to certain limitations) under the B&W Axos Credit Agreement, including the obligation to repay outstanding loans and letters of credit and to pay earned interest, fees costs and expenses of enforcing the Axos Guaranty, provided however, that the Company’s Chief Executive Officerobligations with respect to the principal amount of credit extensions and Chairmanunreimbursed letter of credit obligations under the B&W Axos Credit Agreement shall not at any time exceed $150,000,000 in the aggregate, which is the maximum potential amount of future payments under the guaranty. In consideration for the agreements and (iii) Harvey M. Yellen continuedcommitments under the Axos Guaranty and pursuant to serve as the President of GAG, LLCa separate fee and no longer served as the Company’s President and Vice-Chairman. Mr. Yellen’s employment withreimbursement agreement, B&W has agreed to pay the Company ceased on February 17, 2015. As a resultfee equal to 2.00% of the BRC Acquisition, Bryant R. Riley beneficially owns approximately 24.2%aggregate revolving commitments (as defined in the B&W Axos Credit Agreement) under the B&W Axos Credit Agreement, payable quarterly and, at B&W’s election, in cash in full or 50% in cash and 50% in the form of our outstanding common stock. In addition, new employment agreements became effective uponpenny warrants.

During the closingyear ended December 31, 2023, and year-to-date 2024, the Company earned zero and $1,500,000 respectively, of the BRC Acquisition for Messrs. Gumaer, Yellenunderwriting and Riley as further described above.financial advisory and other fees from B&W in connection with B&W’s capital raising activities.

Promissory Notes

The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (fka the Maven, Inc.)

As

The Company had loans receivable due from The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (fka the Maven, Inc.) (“Arena”) included in loans receivable, at fair value of $98,729,000 as of December 31, 2013, there was $48.8 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding owed to Andrew Gumaer, a director and an executive officer, and Harvey Yellen, a former director and executive officer, all of which accrued interest at 3.75%. In addition, there was $1.7 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding payable to other related parties, $1.0 million of which accrued interest at 3.75% and $0.7 million of which accrue interest at 12.0%2022 (the “Arena Loan”). On JanuaryAugust 31, 2014,2023, the Company paid in full the $0.7 million of principal balanceArena Loan was amended for the notes that had the 12.0%an additional $6,000,000 loan receivable with interest rate. The remaining $1.0 million principal amount payable hadat 10.0% per annum and a maturity date of JulyDecember 31, 2014. The $48.8 million principal amount payable to Messrs. Gumaer2026. Mr. Riley and Yellen had a maturity date of July 31, 2018.

On June 5, 2014, we used $30.2 millionhis affiliates collectively held more than 5% of the net proceeds fromoutstanding shares of Arena during the Private Placement to repayyear ended December 31, 2023. On December 1, 2023, the principal amountCompany and accruedMr. Riley sold their equity and debt interests in Arena and, following the completion of these transactions, Arena is no longer a related party. Interest income on the loan receivable was $10,882,000 during the year ended December 31, 2023. 

Randall E. Paulson

We own a minority equity interest owing to Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen. The $30.0 million principal payment and then outstanding accrued interest of $0.2 million retired the entire $48.8 million face amount of such outstanding notes. The discount of $18.8 million(purchased on March 2, 2021 for the repayment$2,400,000) in Dash Medical Holdings, LLC (“Dash”). Mr. Paulson is a member of the notes payable was recorded asboard of directors of Dash and is a capital contribution to additional paid in capital in our consolidated financial statements. After considering the terms of such repayment and the interests of Messrs. Gumaer and YellenCo-Managing member with respect thereto, such repayment was unanimously approved by the Board, including all of the members of the Audit Committee. On July 31, 2014, the remaining outstanding principal amount of $1.0 million was paid in full to the other related parties. As of August 1, 2014, there is no remaining outstanding principal or interest payable on the notes payable to related parties.his partner.


 

14

 

 The consideration received by each of the holders of the foregoing promissory notes who were executive officers, directors or immediate family members of the foregoing since the beginning of fiscal year 2013

Robert D’Agostino

In September 2023, Q-Mation, Inc. (“Q-Mation”) engaged B. Riley Securities, Inc. to act as exclusive financial advisor in connection with such promissory notesa possible sale or recapitalization transaction. Mr. D’Agostino serves as president of Q-Mation, Inc. If a transaction is as follows:

Phantom Equityholder Year Consideration
(in the form of
Interest Earned on
the Promissory
Notes)(5)
 Consideration
(in the form of
Principal Payments
Paid on the
Promissory Notes)(6)
 Total
Consideration
on the
Promissory
Notes(7)
 Principal Balance
outstanding on the
Promissory Notes
at December 31 (8)
Former Great American Members  
   
Andrew Gumaer  2014  $543,525  $15,656,037  $16,199,562  $—   
   2013  $914,224  $—    $914,224  $24,379,316 
                     
Harvey M. Yellen (1)  2014  $543,525  $14,343,963  $14,397,488  $—   
   2013  $914,224  $—    $914,224  $24,379,316 
                     
Phantom Equityholders                    
                     
Scott Carpenter  2014  $10,093  $333,701  $343,794  $—   
   2013  $63,303  $333,701  $397,004  $333,702 
                     
Paul Erickson (2)  2014  $8,840  $315,162  $324,002  $—   
   2013  $18,683  $315,162  $333,845  $315,163 
                     
Lester Friedman  2014  $8,320  $296,623  $304,943  $—   
   2013  $17,584  $296,623  $314,207  $296,624 
                     
Mark Weitz (3)  2014  $8,320  $296,623  $304,943  $—   
   2013  $17,584  $296,623  $314,207  $296,624 
                     
Brian Yellen (4)  2014  $4,940  $176,120  $181,060  $—   
   2013  $10,441  $176,120  $186,561  $176,140 

(1)Mr. Yellen’s employment with the Company ceased on February 17, 2015 and Mr. Yellen ceased to serve as a director on August 25, 2014.
(2)Mr. Erickson’s employment with the Company ceased on April 12, 2013.
(3)Mr. Weitz is the brother-in-law of Andrew Gumaer, a director and the Chief Executive Officer of GAG, LLC. Mr. Weitz’s employment with the Company ceased on February 4, 2013.
(4)Mr. Yellen is the son of Harvey M. Yellen, a former director and executive officer of the Company.
(5)Consideration represents interest earned on the promissory notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
(6)Consideration represents principal payments on the promissory notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
(7)Total consideration represents the sum of interest earned on the promissory notes and principal payments on the promissory notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
(8)The principal balance outstanding for Mr. Carpenter was paid in full on January 31, 2014.  The principal balance for Messrs. Gumaer and. H. Yellen was paid in full on June 5, 2014 in the amount of $15,656,037 and $14,343,963, respectively, at a discount to the face amount payable. The principal balance for Messrs. Erickson, Friedman, Weitz and B. Yellen was paid in full on July 31, 2014.

Escrow Agreements

On July 31, 2009, Andrew Gumaer and Harvey Yellen, the then members of GAG, LLC, contributed all of their membership interests of GAG, LLC to the Company (the “Contribution”) in exchange for shares of common stock of the Company and subordinated unsecured promissory notes issued in favor of the Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen and the phantom equityholders of GAG, LLC. Concurrently with the Contribution, AAMAC merged with and into AAMAC Merger Sub, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (together with the Contribution, the “Acquisition”).

In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition,consummated, B. Riley Financial,Securities, Inc. entered into that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2009 (the “Acquisition Escrow Agreement”), with AAMAC, GAG, LLC, Andrew Gumaer, as representative of the members and phantom equityholders of GAG, LLC, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, to provide a fund (a) to secure the indemnification obligations of GAG, LLC to AAMAC against losses that the Company, as the surviving entity of the Acquisition, may sustain as a result of (i) the inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty made by GAG, LLC in the acquisition agreement relating to the Acquisition or any schedule or certificate delivered by GAG, LLC in connection with such agreement and (ii) the non-fulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement made by GAG, LLC in the such agreement, (b) to offset against any working capital shortfall pursuant to the acquisition agreement relating to the Acquisition or (c) to offset against any inventory amount shortfall. Pursuant to the Acquisition Escrow Agreement, the members and phantom equityholders of GAG, LLC placed in escrow an aggregate of 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Escrowed Indemnification Stock”).

15

On April 30, 2010 and 2011, 3,600 and 5,400 shares of the Escrowed Indemnification Stock, respectively, were released from escrow to the phantom equityholders of GAG, LLC. The remaining 66,000 shares that are currently held in escrow are reserved to offset against any inventory amount shortfall pursuant to the Acquisition Escrow Agreement until the date that all of the specified inventory assets of GAG, LLC are sold. These shares will remain in escrow until such claims are resolved, at which time the remaining Escrowed Indemnification Stock shall be promptly returned to the Messrs. Gumaer and Yellen.

Riley Investment Partners, L.P. Promissory Note

In March 2015, the Company had capital deployed for three retail liquidation engagements. On March 10, 2015, we borrowed $4.5 million from Riley Investment Partners, L.P. (“Payee”) in accordance with the subordinated unsecured promissory note (the “RIP Note”). The borrowings are for short-term working capital needs and capital for other retail liquidation engagements. The principal amount of $4.5 million for the RIP Note accrues interest at the rate of 10% per annum (or 15% in the event of a default under the RIP Note). The Payee is also is entitled to a success fee (the “Success Fee”) of 20%based on a percentage of the net profit, if any, earned by the Company in connection withaggregate transaction value, subject to a designated liquidation transaction. Pursuant to the termsminimum success fee of the RIP Note, under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to pay to Payee any portion of the combined amount of interest and the Success Fee which exceeds twelve percent (12%) of the $4.5 million principal amount of the RIP Note. The outstanding principal amount, together with the accrued and unpaid interest and the Success Fee, are due and payable by the Company on March 9, 2016. The RIP Note is subordinated in certain respects to our guaranty relating to our existing credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and, in the event of certain insolvency proceedings, with respect to such credit facility itself, as well as to any other indebtedness of ours to the extent required by the documents governing the repayment thereof. RIM, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is the general partner of Payee. Bryant Riley, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company, owns or controls approximately 45% of the equity interests of the Payee. In addition, Thomas J. Kelleher, the President of the Company, and one other employee of the Company, own or control de minimis amounts of the equity interests of the Payee. After considering the economic interests of Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher in the RIP Note and comparing the terms of the RIP Note to terms that may have been available from unaffiliated third parties, the disinterested members of our Board, including all of the members of the Audit Committee, unanimously approved the issuance of the RIP Note.$1,750,000.

 

Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions

 

Under its charter, the Audit Committee is charged with reviewing all potential related party transactions. Our policy has been that the Audit Committee, which is comprised solely of independent disinterested directors, reviews and then recommends such related party transactions to the entire Board for further review and approval. All such related party transactions are then required to be reported under applicable SEC rules. Pursuant to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Audit Committee must review and approve in advance all material related party transactions or business or professional relationships. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also requires that any dealings with a related party must be conducted in such a way as to avoid preferential treatment and assure that the terms obtained by the Company are no less favorable than could be obtained from unrelated parties on an arm’s-length basis. Aside from this policy and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we have not adopted additional procedures for review of, or standards for approval of, related party transactions, but instead review such transactions on a case-by-case basis.

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board has unanimously determined that three (3)seven of our directors Messrs. Hart, Hilton– Robert Antin, Tammy Brandt, Robert D’Agostino, Renée E. LaBran, Randall Paulson, Michael Sheldon, and Todaro,Mimi Walters, a majority of the Board are “independent” directors as that term is defined by Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). In addition, based upon such standards, the Board determined that Messrs.Bryant Riley and GumaerThomas Kelleher are not “independent” because they areof their service as employees of the Company. Further, the Board determined that Mr. Klein, who served as a director until August 2014, was an “independent” director as that term is defined by Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and that Mr. Yellen, who served as a director until August 2014, was not independent because he was an employee of the Company at such time.

 

16

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for services provided to us by Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20132023 and 2014:2022:

 

  Fiscal 2013 Fiscal 2014
Audit Fees (1) $376,076  $354,844 
Audit-Related Fees (2)  5,775   24,383 
Tax Fees  —     —   
All Other Fees  —     —   
TOTAL $381,851  $379,227 
  Fiscal 2023  Fiscal 2022 
Audit Fees(1) $8,678,220  $3,791,430 
Audit-Related Fees      
Tax Fees      
All Other Fees      
TOTAL $8,678,220  $3,791,430 

 

(1)Audit Fees consist of audit and various attest services performed by Marcum LLP and include the following: (1) feesfollowing for fiscal 2013 includethe years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: (a) reviews of our financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 and (b) the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and (2) fees for fiscal 2014 include (a) reviews(c) services rendered in connection with the filing of our financialregistration statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 and (b) the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(2)Audit-Related Fees consists of fees for assurance and related services performed by Marcum LLP that related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements other than audit fees.underwriter comfort letters.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

 

As a matter of policy, all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm are approved in advance by the audit committee of the Company,Audit Committee, which considers whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining such firm'sfirm’s independence. All services provided by Marcum LLP during fiscal years 20132023 and 20142022 were pre-approved by the audit committee.Audit Committee. The audit committeeAudit Committee has considered the role of Marcum LLP in providing services to us for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014,2023 and has concluded that such services are compatible with their independence as our auditors.

17

 


PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1.Financial Statements. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements required to be filed in the Annual Report on the Form 10-K and the notes thereto, together with the report of the independent auditors on those Consolidated Financial Statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, are hereby filed as part of this report, beginning on page 85.

2.Financial Statement Schedules. Financial Statement Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted because they are either not applicable or the information is otherwise included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

The financial statements of Babcock & Wilcox required by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X are provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-K.

3.Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index of the Form 10-K and this Amendment are field with, or incorporated by reference in, this report.

(b)Exhibits:Exhibits and Index to Exhibits, below.

 

Exhibit
Number(c)
Financial Statement Schedule and Separate Financial Statements of Subsidiaries Not Consolidated and Fifty Percent or Less Owned Persons.

Babcock & Wilcox was deemed a significant equity investee under Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X for the year ended December 31, 2022. As such, Babcock & Wilcox’s financial statements for its fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-K incorporation by reference to Item 8 and the Financial Statement Schedule - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts included in Item 15 of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024.


(c) Exhibit Index

    Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No. Description Form Exhibit Filing Date
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, dated as of August 17, 2015 10-Q 3.1 8/3/2018
         
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated as of November 6, 2014 10-Q 3.6 11/6/2014
         
3.3 Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of B. Riley Financial, Inc., dated April 3, 2019 8-K 3.1 4/9/2019
         
3.4 Certificate of Designation designating the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of B. Riley Financial, Inc. 8-K 3.1 10/7/2019
         
3.5 Certificate of Designation designating the 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of B. Riley Financial, Inc. 8-K 3.1 9/4/2020
         
4.1 Description of Registered Securities 10-K 4.29 3/16/2023
         
4.2 Form of common stock certificate 10-K 4.1 3/30/2015
         
4.3 Base Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2019, by and between the registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee 8-K 4.1 5/7/2019
         
4.4 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2019, by and between the registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee 8-K 4.2 5/7/2019
         
4.5 Form of 6.75% Senior Note due 2024 (included in Exhibit 4.4) 8-K 4.2 5/7/2019
         
4.6 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 23, 2019, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee 8-K 4.3 9/23/2019
         
4.7 Form of 6.50% Senior Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.6) 8-K 4.4 9/23/2019
         
4.8 Deposit Agreement, dated October 7, 2019, among B. Riley Financial, Inc., Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Depositary, and the holders of depositary receipts, with respect to B. Riley Financial, Inc.’s 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock 8-K 4.1 10/7/2019
         
4.9 Form of Specimen Certificate representing the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of B. Riley Financial, Inc. 8-K 4.2 10/7/2019
         
4.10 Form of Depositary Receipt 8-K 4.3 10/7/2019
         
4.11 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 12, 2020, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee 8-K 4.4 2/12/2020
         
4.12 Form of 6.375% Senior Note due 2025 (included in Exhibit 4.11) 8-K 4.4 2/12/2020
         
4.13 Deposit Agreement, dated September 4, 2020, among B. Riley Financial, Inc., Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Depositary, and the holders of depositary receipts, with respect to B. Riley Financial, Inc.’s 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock 8-K 4.1 9/4/2020


4.14 Form of Specimen certificate representing the 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of B. Riley Financial, Inc. 8-K 4.2 9/4/2020
         
4.15 Form of Depositary Receipt 8-K 4.3 9/4/2020
         
4.16 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 25, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee 8-K 4.5 1/25/2021
         
4.17 Form of 6.00% Senior Note due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.16) 8-K 4.6 1/25/2021
         
4.18 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 29, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee 8-K 4.6 3/29/2021
         
4.19 Form of 5.50% Senior Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.18) 8-K 4.7 3/29/2021
         
4.20 Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 6, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee 8-K 4.7 8/6/2021
         
4.21 Form of 5.25% Senior Note due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.20) 8-K 4.8 8/6/2021
         
4.22 Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 3, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee 8-K 4.8 12/3/2021
         
4.23 Form of 5.00% Senior Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.22) 8-K 4.9 12/3/2021
         
10.1 Security Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2008, by and between Great American Group WF, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Successor to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC) 10-Q 10.8 8/31/2009
         
10.2 Loan and Security Agreement (Accounts Receivable & Inventory Line of Credit), dated as of May 17, 2011, by and between BFI Business Finance and Great American Group Advisory & Valuation Services, LLC 8-K 10.1 5/26/2011
         
10.3 Third Amended and Restated Guaranty, dated as of July 15, 2013, by and between the registrant and Great American Group, LLC, in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 8-K 10.2 7/19/2013
         
10.4 Uncommitted Liquidation Finance Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2014, by and among GA Asset Advisors Limited, each special purpose vehicle affiliated to GA Asset Advisors Limited which accedes to such agreement, and Burdale Financial Limited 8-K 10.1 3/25/2014
         
10.5 Master Guarantee and Indemnity, dated as of March 19, 2014, by and among GA Asset Advisors Limited, the registrant, Great American Group, LLC, Great American Group WF, LLC, Burdale Financial Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 8-K 10.2 3/25/2014
         
10.6# Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan 10-Q 10.1 8/11/2015


10.7# Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan - Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement 10-Q 10.2 8/11/2015
         
10.8# Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan - Stock Bonus Program and Form of Stock Bonus Award Agreement 10-Q 10.3 8/11/2015
         
10.9# B. Riley Financial, Inc. Management Bonus Plan 8-K 10.1 8/18/2015
         
10.10 Debt Conversion and Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 12, 2018, by and among the registrant, bebe stores, inc. and The Manny Mashouf Living Trust 8-K 10.1 1/16/2018
         
10.11# 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 8-K 10.1 7/31/2018
         
10.12 Credit Agreement, dated December 19, 2018 8-K 10.1 12/27/2018
         
10.13 First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Joinder, dated February 1, 2019 8-K 10.1 2/7/2019
         
10.14 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated December 31, 2020 8-K 10.1 1/6/2021
         
10.15 Security and Pledge Agreement, dated December 19, 2018 8-K 10.2 12/27/2018
         
10.16 Unconditional Guaranty and Pledge Agreement by B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC, dated December 19, 2018 8-K 10.3 12/27/2018
         
10.17 Unconditional Guaranty and Pledge Agreement, dated December 19, 2018 8-K 10.3 12/27/2018
         
10.18# Amendment to Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan 10-Q 10.4 11/1/2019
         
10.19 B. Riley Financial, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, dated April 20, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 8-K 10.01 6/3/2021
         
10.20 Master Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between B. Riley Receivables, LLC and W.S. Badcock Corporation 8-K 10.1 12/22/2021
         
10.21 Servicing Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between B. Riley Receivables, LLC and W.S. Badcock Corporation 8-K 10.2 12/22/2021
         
10.22 Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement 8-K 10.3 12/22/2021
         
10.23 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021 10-K 10.44 2/25/2022
         
10.24# PRSU Grant Agreement 10-K 10.46 2/25/2022


10.25 Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2022, by and among B. Riley Retail Solutions WF, LLC, B. Riley Retail, Inc., B. Riley Retail Canada, ULC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada 8-K 10.1 4/25/2022
         
10.26 Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2022 10-Q 10.1 7/29/2022
         
10.27# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Bryant R. Riley 8-K 10.1 4/14/2023
         
10.28# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Thomas J. Kelleher 8-K 10.2 4/14/2023
         
10.29# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Phillip J. Ahn 8-K 10.3 4/14/2023
         
10.30# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Alan N. Forman 8-K 10.4 4/14/2023
         
10.31# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Andrew Moore 8-K 10.5 4/14/2023
         
10.32# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Kenneth M. Young 8-K 10.6 4/14/2023
         
10.33 Credit Agreement, dated August 21, 2023 among B. Riley Financial, Inc., BRFinancial Holdings, LLC, Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 8-K 10.1 8/25/2023
         
10.34 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-Vesting) under the B. Riley Financial, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan 10-K 10.34 4/24/2024
         
14.1 B. Riley - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 8-K 14.1 5/30/2023
         
21.1 Subsidiary List 10-K 21.1 4/24/2024
         
31.1 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 10-K 31.1 4/24/2024
         
31.2 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 10-K 31.2 4/24/2024
         
31.3 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 10-K 31.3 4/24/2024


31.4* Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934      
         
31.5* Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934      
         
31.6* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934      
         
32.1 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 10-K 32.1 4/24/2024
         
32.2 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 10-K 32.2 4/24/2024
         
32.3 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 10-K 32.3 4/24/2024
         
97.1# B. Riley - Clawback Policy 10-K 97.1 4/24/2024
         
99.1*** Babcock & Wilcox Financial Statements 10-K   3/15/2024
         
101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document      
         
101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document      
         
101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document      
         
101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document      
         
101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document      
         
101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document      
         
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).      

*Description of Documents
31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Filed herewith.
  
***The Company is providing financial statements for Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (“Babcock & Wilcox”), pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Babcock & Wilcox was significant under Rule 3-09 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
 
31.2+Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer#Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
§The Company has omitted certain information contained in this exhibit pursuant to Rules 13a-14Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is not material and, 15d-14 promulgated underif publicly disclosed, would likely cause competitive harm to the Company. Certain schedules and annexes to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or annex will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
^Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K, certain annexes to the agreement have not been filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted annex to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.Commission upon request.

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

 

18

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: April 30, 2015

Date: April 29, 2024
 B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.
  
 By:/s/ PHILLIP J. AHN
  Phillip J. Ahn
  Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Operating Officer

 


31

0001464790 2024-04-16